1
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Kondapaneni RV, Gurung SK, Nakod PS, Goodarzi K, Yakati V, Lenart NA, Rao SS. Glioblastoma mechanobiology at multiple length scales. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 160:213860. [PMID: 38640876 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a primary brain cancer, is one of the most aggressive forms of human cancer, with a very low patient survival rate. A characteristic feature of GBM is the diffuse infiltration of tumor cells into the surrounding brain extracellular matrix (ECM) that provide biophysical, topographical, and biochemical cues. In particular, ECM stiffness and composition is known to play a key role in controlling various GBM cell behaviors including proliferation, migration, invasion, as well as the stem-like state and response to chemotherapies. In this review, we discuss the mechanical characteristics of the GBM microenvironment at multiple length scales, and how biomaterial scaffolds such as polymeric hydrogels, and fibers, as well as microfluidic chip-based platforms have been employed as tissue mimetic models to study GBM mechanobiology. We also highlight how such tissue mimetic models can impact the field of GBM mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Vamsi Kondapaneni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Sumiran Kumar Gurung
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Pinaki S Nakod
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Kasra Goodarzi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Venu Yakati
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Nicholas A Lenart
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Shreyas S Rao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
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2
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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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3
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Desai SA, Patel VP, Bhosle KP, Nagare SD, Thombare KC. The tumor microenvironment: shaping cancer progression and treatment response. J Chemother 2024:1-30. [PMID: 38179655 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2023.2300224] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer progression and treatment response. It comprises a complex network of stromal cells, immune cells, extracellular matrix, and blood vessels, all of which interact with cancer cells and influence tumor behaviour. This review article provides an in-depth examination of the TME, focusing on stromal cells, blood vessels, signaling molecules, and ECM, along with commonly available therapeutic compounds that target these components. Moreover, we explore the TME as a novel strategy for discovering new anti-tumor drugs. The dynamic and adaptive nature of the TME offers opportunities for targeting specific cellular interactions and signaling pathways. We discuss emerging approaches, such as combination therapies that simultaneously target cancer cells and modulate the TME. Finally, we address the challenges and future prospects in targeting the TME. Overcoming drug resistance, improving drug delivery, and identifying new therapeutic targets within the TME are among the challenges discussed. We also highlight the potential of personalized medicine and the integration of emerging technologies, such as immunotherapy and nanotechnology, in TME-targeted therapies. This comprehensive review provides insights into the TME and its therapeutic implications. Understanding the TME's complexity and targeting its components offer promising avenues for the development of novel anti-tumor therapies and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharav A Desai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Kopargaon, India
| | - Vipul P Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Kopargaon, India
| | - Kunal P Bhosle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Kopargaon, India
| | - Sandip D Nagare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Kopargaon, India
| | - Kirti C Thombare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Kopargaon, India
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4
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Lawson-Keister E, Zhang T, Nazari F, Fagotto F, Manning ML. Differences in boundary behavior in the 3D vertex and Voronoi models. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011724. [PMID: 38181065 PMCID: PMC10796063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
An important open question in the modeling of biological tissues is how to identify the right scale for coarse-graining, or equivalently, the right number of degrees of freedom. For confluent biological tissues, both vertex and Voronoi models, which differ only in their representation of the degrees of freedom, have effectively been used to predict behavior, including fluid-solid transitions and cell tissue compartmentalization, which are important for biological function. However, recent work in 2D has hinted that there may be differences between the two models in systems with heterotypic interfaces between two tissue types, and there is a burgeoning interest in 3D tissue models. Therefore, we compare the geometric structure and dynamic sorting behavior in mixtures of two cell types in both 3D vertex and Voronoi models. We find that while the cell shape indices exhibit similar trends in both models, the registration between cell centers and cell orientation at the boundary are significantly different between the two models. We demonstrate that these macroscopic differences are caused by changes to the cusp-like restoring forces introduced by the different representations of the degrees of freedom at the boundary, and that the Voronoi model is more strongly constrained by forces that are an artifact of the way the degrees of freedom are represented. This suggests that vertex models may be more appropriate for 3D simulations of tissues with heterotypic contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Lawson-Keister
- Department of Physics and BioInspired Syracuse, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fatemeh Nazari
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Ecole Centrale de Lille, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier and CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - François Fagotto
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier and CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - M. Lisa Manning
- Department of Physics and BioInspired Syracuse, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
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5
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Jadav N, Velamoor S, Huang D, Cassin L, Hazelton N, Eruera AR, Burga LN, Bostina M. Beyond the surface: Investigation of tumorsphere morphology using volume electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108035. [PMID: 37805154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The advent of volume electron microscopy (vEM) has provided unprecedented insights into cellular and subcellular organization, revolutionizing our understanding of cancer biology. This study presents a previously unexplored comparative analysis of the ultrastructural disparities between cancer cells cultured as monolayers and tumorspheres. By integrating a robust workflow that incorporates high-pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution (HPF/FS), serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), manual and deep learning-based segmentation, and statistical analysis, we have successfully generated three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of monolayer and tumorsphere cells, including their subcellular organelles. Our findings reveal a significant degree of variation in cellular morphology in tumorspheres. We observed the increased prevalence of nuclear envelope invaginations in tumorsphere cells compared to monolayers. Furthermore, we detected a diverse range of mitochondrial morphologies exclusively in tumorsphere cells, as well as intricate cellular interconnectivity within the tumorsphere architecture. These remarkable ultrastructural differences emphasize the use of tumorspheres as a superior model for cancer research due to their relevance to in vivo conditions. Our results strongly advocate for the utilization of tumorsphere cells in cancer research studies, enhancing the precision and relevance of experimental outcomes, and ultimately accelerating therapeutic advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickhil Jadav
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sailakshmi Velamoor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Léna Cassin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Niki Hazelton
- Otago Micro and Nano Imaging (OMNI) Electron Microscopy Suite, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alice-Roza Eruera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laura N Burga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Otago Micro and Nano Imaging (OMNI) Electron Microscopy Suite, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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6
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Chai XX, Liu J, Yu TY, Zhang G, Sun WJ, Zhou Y, Ren L, Cao HL, Yin DC, Zhang CY. Recent progress of mechanosensitive mechanism on breast cancer. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 185:1-16. [PMID: 37793504 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical environment is important for tumorigenesis and progression. Tumor cells can sense mechanical signals by mechanosensitive receptors, and these mechanical signals can be converted to biochemical signals to regulate cell behaviors, such as cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and drug resistance. Here, we summarized the effects of the mechanical microenvironment on breast cancer cell activity, and mechanotransduction mechanism from cellular microenvironment to cell membrane, and finally to the nucleus, and also relative mechanosensitive proteins, ion channels, and signaling pathways were elaborated, therefore the mechanical signal could be transduced to biochemical or molecular signal. Meanwhile, the mechanical models commonly used for biomechanics study in vitro and some quantitative descriptions were listed. It provided an essential theoretical basis for the occurrence and development of mechanosensitive breast cancer, and also some potential drug targets were proposed to treat such disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - 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, Shaanxi, 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, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wen-Jun Sun
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, 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, Shaanxi, PR China; Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Ningbo, 315103, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hui-Ling Cao
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Basic and Translation of Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, 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, Shaanxi, 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, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Nayak P, Bentivoglio V, Varani M, Signore A. Three-Dimensional In Vitro Tumor Spheroid Models for Evaluation of Anticancer Therapy: Recent Updates. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4846. [PMID: 37835541 PMCID: PMC10571930 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced tissue engineering processes and regenerative medicine provide modern strategies for fabricating 3D spheroids. Several different 3D cancer models are being developed to study a variety of cancers. Three-dimensional spheroids can correctly replicate some features of solid tumors (such as the secretion of soluble mediators, drug resistance mechanisms, gene expression patterns and physiological responses) better than 2D cell cultures or animal models. Tumor spheroids are also helpful for precisely reproducing the three-dimensional organization and microenvironmental factors of tumors. Because of these unique properties, the potential of 3D cell aggregates has been emphasized, and they have been utilized in in vitro models for the detection of novel anticancer drugs. This review discusses applications of 3D spheroid models in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell and photodynamic therapy and also discusses the establishment of the anticancer activity of nanocarriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Nayak
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital Sant’Andrea, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Roma, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (A.S.)
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8
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Qiu J, Li Z, An K, Niu L, Huang H, Xu F. Thermo-Chemical Resistance to Combination Therapy of Glioma Depends on Cellular Energy Level. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:39053-39063. [PMID: 37552210 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c05683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Thermal therapy has been widely used in clinical tumor treatment and more recently in combination with chemotherapy, where the key challenge is the treatment resistance. The mechanism at the cellular level underlying the resistance to thermo-chemical combination therapy remains elusive. In this study, we constructed 3D culture models for glioma cells (i.e., 3D glioma spheres) as the model system to recapitulate the native tumor microenvironment and systematically investigated the thermal response of 3D glioma spheres at different hyperthermic temperatures. We found that 3D glioma spheres show high viability under hyperthermia, especially under high hyperthermic temperatures (42 °C). Further study revealed that the main mechanism lies in the high energy level of cells in 3D glioma spheres under hyperthermia, which enables the cells to respond promptly to thermal stimulation and maintain cellular viability by upregulating the chaperon protein Hsp70 and the anti-apoptotic pathway AKT. Besides, we also demonstrated that 3D glioma spheres show strong drug resistance to the thermo-chemical combination therapy. This study provides a new perspective on understanding the thermal response of combination therapy for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbin Qiu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zhijie Li
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Keli An
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Lele Niu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Haishui Huang
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Feng Xu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
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9
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Cauli E, Polidoro MA, Marzorati S, Bernardi C, Rasponi M, Lleo A. Cancer-on-chip: a 3D model for the study of the tumor microenvironment. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:53. [PMID: 37592292 PMCID: PMC10436436 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00372-6] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The approval of anticancer therapeutic strategies is still slowed down by the lack of models able to faithfully reproduce in vivo cancer physiology. On one hand, the conventional in vitro models fail to recapitulate the organ and tissue structures, the fluid flows, and the mechanical stimuli characterizing the human body compartments. On the other hand, in vivo animal models cannot reproduce the typical human tumor microenvironment, essential to study cancer behavior and progression. This study reviews the cancer-on-chips as one of the most promising tools to model and investigate the tumor microenvironment and metastasis. We also described how cancer-on-chip devices have been developed and implemented to study the most common primary cancers and their metastatic sites. Pros and cons of this technology are then discussed highlighting the future challenges to close the gap between the pre-clinical and clinical studies and accelerate the approval of new anticancer therapies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cauli
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Accelera Srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michela Anna Polidoro
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Marzorati
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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Wang L, Yang J, Hu X, Wang S, Wang Y, Sun T, Wang D, Wang W, Ma H, Wang Y, Song K, Li W. A decellularized lung extracellular matrix/chondroitin sulfate/gelatin/chitosan-based 3D culture system shapes breast cancer lung metastasis. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 152:213500. [PMID: 37336011 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Distal metastasis of breast cancer is a primary cause of death, and the lung is a common metastatic target of breast cancer. However, the role of the lung niche in promoting breast cancer progression is not well understood. Engineered three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models capable of bridging this knowledge gap can be specifically designed to mimic crucial characteristics of the lung niche in a more physiologically relevant context than conventional two-dimensional systems. In this study, two 3D culture systems were developed to mimic the late stage of breast cancer progression at a lung metastatic site. These 3D models were created based on a novel decellularized lung extracellular matrix/chondroitin sulfate/gelatin/chitosan composite material and on a porcine decellularized lung matrix (PDLM), with the former tailored with comparable properties (stiffness, pore size, biochemical composition, and microstructure) to that of the in vivo lung matrix. The different microstructure and stiffness of the two types of scaffolds yielded diverse presentations of MCF-7 cells in terms of cell distribution, cell morphology, and migration. Cells showed better extensions with apparent pseudopods and more homogeneous and reduced migration activity on the composite scaffold compared to those on the PDLM scaffold. Furthermore, alveolar-like structures with superior porous connectivity in the composite scaffold remarkably promoted aggressive cell proliferation and viability. In conclusion, a novel lung matrix-mimetic 3D in vitro breast cancer lung metastasis model was developed to clarify the underlying correlativity between lung ECM and breast cancer cells after lung colonization. A better understanding of the effects of biochemical and biophysical environments of the lung matrix on cell behaviors can help elucidate the potential mechanisms of breast cancer progression and further improve target discovery of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jianye Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Xueyan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian R&D Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Shuping Wang
- Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (iAIR), University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Tongyi Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Physical Education, School of Foundation Medical, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Wenchi Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian R&D Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yingshuai Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.
| | - Kedong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian R&D Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Wenfang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.
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11
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Wanigasekara J, Carroll LJ, Cullen PJ, Tiwari B, Curtin JF. Three-Dimensional (3D) in vitro cell culture protocols to enhance glioblastoma research. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0276248. [PMID: 36753513 PMCID: PMC9907841 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models can help bridge the gap between in vitro cell cultures and in vivo responses by more accurately simulating the natural in vivo environment, shape, tissue stiffness, stressors, gradients and cellular response while avoiding the costs and ethical concerns associated with animal models. The inclusion of the third dimension in 3D cell culture influences the spatial organization of cell surface receptors that interact with other cells and imposes physical restrictions on cells in compared to Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Spheroids' distinctive cyto-architecture mimics in vivo cellular structure, gene expression, metabolism, proliferation, oxygenation, nutrition absorption, waste excretion, and drug uptake while preserving cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) connections and communication, hence influencing molecular processes and cellular phenotypes. This protocol describes the in vitro generation of tumourspheroids using the low attachment plate, hanging drop plate, and cellusponge natural scaffold based methods. The expected results from these protocols confirmed the ability of all these methods to create uniform tumourspheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janith Wanigasekara
- BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Environmental Sustainability & Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
- FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail: (JFC); (JW)
| | - Lara J. Carroll
- BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick J. Cullen
- BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- University of Sydney, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brijesh Tiwari
- Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James F. Curtin
- BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Environmental Sustainability & Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail: (JFC); (JW)
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12
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Wanigasekara J, Cullen PJ, Bourke P, Tiwari B, Curtin JF. Advances in 3D culture systems for therapeutic discovery and development in brain cancer. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103426. [PMID: 36332834 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on recent advances in 3D culture systems that promise more accurate therapeutic models of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor microenvironment (TME), such as the unique anatomical, cellular, and molecular features evident in human GBM. The key components of a GBM TME are outlined, including microbiomes, vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), infiltrating parenchymal and peripheral immune cells and molecules, and chemical gradients. 3D culture systems are evaluated against 2D culture systems and in vivo animal models. The main 3D culture techniques available are compared, with an emphasis on identifying key gaps in knowledge for the development of suitable platforms to accurately model the intricate components of the GBM TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janith Wanigasekara
- BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland; FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Patrick J Cullen
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paula Bourke
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brijesh Tiwari
- Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James F Curtin
- BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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13
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Mao BH, Nguyen Thi KM, Tang MJ, Kamm RD, Tu TY. The interface stiffness and topographic feature dictate interfacial invasiveness of cancer spheroids. Biofabrication 2023; 15. [PMID: 36594698 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acaa00] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
During cancer metastasis, tumor cells likely navigate, in a collective manner, discrete tissue spaces comprising inherently heterogeneous extracellular matrix microstructures where interfaces may be frequently encountered. Studies have shown that cell migration modes can be determined by adaptation to mechanical/topographic cues from interfacial microenvironments. However, less attention has been paid to exploring the impact of interfacial mechnochemical attributes on invasive and metastatic behaviors of tumor aggregates. Here, we excogitated a collagen matrix-solid substrate interface platform to investigate the afore-stated interesting issue. Our data revealed that stiffer interfaces stimulated spheroid outgrowth by motivating detachment of single cells and boosting their motility and velocity. However, stronger interfacial adhesive strength between matrix and substrate led to the opposite outcomes. Besides, this interfacial parameter also affected the morphological switch between migration modes of the detached cells and their directionality. Mechanistically, myosin II-mediated cell contraction, compared to matrix metalloproteinases-driven collagen degradation, was shown to play a more crucial role in the invasive outgrowth of tumor spheroids in interfacial microenvironments. Thus, our findings highlight the importance of heterogeneous interfaces in addressing and combating cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin-Hsu Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Kim Mai Nguyen Thi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jer Tang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.,International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.,International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.,Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
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14
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Azimian Zavareh V, Rafiee L, Sheikholeslam M, Shariati L, Vaseghi G, Savoji H, Haghjooy Javanmard S. Three-Dimensional in Vitro Models: A Promising Tool To Scale-Up Breast Cancer Research. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:4648-4672. [PMID: 36260561 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Common models used in breast cancer studies, including two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal models, do not precisely model all aspects of breast tumors. These models do not well simulate the cell-cell and cell-stromal interactions required for normal tumor growth in the body and lake tumor like microenvironment. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are novel approaches to studying breast cancer. They do not have the restrictions of these conventional models and are able to recapitulate the structural architecture, complexity, and specific function of breast tumors and provide similar in vivo responses to therapeutic regimens. These models can be a link between former traditional 2D culture and in vivo models and are necessary for further studies in cancer. This review attempts to summarize the most common 3D in vitro models used in breast cancer studies, including scaffold-free (spheroid and organoid), scaffold-based, and chip-based models, particularly focused on the basic and translational application of these 3D models in drug screening and the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vajihe Azimian Zavareh
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Core Research Facilities (CRF), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Laleh Rafiee
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Mohammadali Sheikholeslam
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Biosensor Research Center, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Laleh Shariati
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Cancer Prevention Research Center, Omid Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Golnaz Vaseghi
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Houman Savoji
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.,Montreal TransMedTech Institute, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
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15
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Xiao RR, Jin L, Xie N, Luo P, Gao W, Tu P, Ai X. Establishment and large-scale validation of a three-dimensional tumor model on an array chip for anticancer drug evaluation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1032975. [PMID: 36313330 PMCID: PMC9596801 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1032975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) tumor model has always poorly predicted drug response of animal model due to the lack of recapitulation of tumor microenvironment. Establishing a biomimetic, controllable, and cost-effective three-dimensional (3D) model and large-scale validation of its in vivo predictivity has shown promise in bridging the gap between the 2D tumor model and animal model. Here, we established a matrigel-based 3D micro-tumor model on an array chip for large-scale anticancer drug evaluation. Compared with the 2D tumor model, the 3D tumor model on the chip showed spheroid morphology, slower proliferation kinetics, and comparable reproducibility. Next, the results of the chemotherapeutic evaluation from 18 drugs against 27 cancer cell lines showed 17.6% of drug resistance on the 3D tumor model. Moreover, the evaluation results of targeted drugs showed expected sensitivity and higher specificity on the 3D tumor model compared with the 2D model. Finally, the evaluation results on the 3D tumor model were more consistent with the in vivo cell-derived xenograft model, and excluded 95% false-positive results from the 2D model. Overall, the matrigel-based 3D micro-tumor model on the array chip provides a promising tool to accelerate anticancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Rong Xiao
- R&D Department, Beijing Daxiang Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Oncology and Immunology Unit, WuXi Biology, WuXi AppTec (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Xie
- Oncology and Immunology Unit, WuXi Biology, WuXi AppTec (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Piaopiao Luo
- R&D Department, Beijing Daxiang Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Gao
- Oncology and Immunology Unit, WuXi Biology, WuXi AppTec (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Pengfei Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoni Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoni Ai,
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16
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Recent Advances in Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching for Decoupling Transport and Kinetics of Biomacromolecules in Cellular Physiology. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14091913. [PMID: 35567083 PMCID: PMC9105003 DOI: 10.3390/polym14091913] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the new molecular tools available to scientists and engineers, some of the most useful include fluorescently tagged biomolecules. Tools, such as green fluorescence protein (GFP), have been applied to perform semi-quantitative studies on biological signal transduction and cellular structural dynamics involved in the physiology of healthy and disease states. Such studies focus on drug pharmacokinetics, receptor-mediated endocytosis, nuclear mechanobiology, viral infections, and cancer metastasis. In 1976, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), which involves the monitoring of fluorescence emission recovery within a photobleached spot, was developed. FRAP allowed investigators to probe two-dimensional (2D) diffusion of fluorescently-labelled biomolecules. Since then, FRAP has been refined through the advancements of optics, charged-coupled-device (CCD) cameras, confocal microscopes, and molecular probes. FRAP is now a highly quantitative tool used for transport and kinetic studies in the cytosol, organelles, and membrane of a cell. In this work, the authors intend to provide a review of recent advances in FRAP. The authors include epifluorescence spot FRAP, total internal reflection (TIR)/FRAP, and confocal microscope-based FRAP. The underlying mathematical models are also described. Finally, our understanding of coupled transport and kinetics as determined by FRAP will be discussed and the potential for future advances suggested.
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17
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In Vitro Human Cancer Models for Biomedical Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092284. [PMID: 35565413 PMCID: PMC9099454 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. While numerous studies have been conducted on cancer treatment, clinical treatment options for cancers are still limited. To date, animal cancer models for cancer therapeutic studies have faced multiple challenges, including inaccuracy in the representation of human cancers, high cost and ethical concerns. Therefore, lab-grown human cancer models are being developed quickly to fulfill the increasing demand for more relevant models in order to improve knowledge of human cancers and to find novel treatments. This review summarizes the development of lab-grown human cancer models for biomedical applications, including cancer therapeutic development, assessment of human tumor biology and discovery of key cancer markers. Abstract Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its incidence is steadily increasing. Although years of research have been conducted on cancer treatment, clinical treatment options for cancers are still limited. Animal cancer models have been widely used for studies of cancer therapeutics, but these models have been associated with many concerns, including inaccuracy in the representation of human cancers, high cost and ethical issues. Therefore, in vitro human cancer models are being developed quickly to fulfill the increasing demand for more relevant models in order to get a better knowledge of human cancers and to find novel treatments. This review summarizes the development of in vitro human cancer models for biomedical applications. We first review the latest development in the field by detailing various types of in vitro human cancer models, including transwell-based models, tumor spheroids, microfluidic tumor-microvascular systems and scaffold-based models. The advantages and limitations of each model, as well as their biomedical applications, are summarized, including therapeutic development, assessment of tumor cell migration, metastasis and invasion and discovery of key cancer markers. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives are briefly discussed.
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18
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Bae J, Choi YS, Cho G, Jang SJ. The Patient-Derived Cancer Organoids: Promises and Challenges as Platforms for Cancer Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092144. [PMID: 35565273 PMCID: PMC9105149 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cancer burden is rapidly increasing in most countries, and thus, new anticancer drugs for effective cancer therapy must be developed. Cancer model systems that recapitulate the biological processes of human cancers are one of the cores of the drug development process. PDCO has emerged as a unique model that preserves the genetic, physiological, and histologic characteristics of original cancer, including inter- and intratumoral heterogeneities. Due to these advantages, the PCDO model is increasingly investigated for anticancer drug screening and efficacy testing, preclinical patient stratification, and precision medicine for selecting the most effective anticancer therapy for patients. Here, we review the prospects and limitations of PDCO compared to the conventional cancer models. With advances in culture success rates, co-culture systems with the tumor microenvironment, organoid-on-a-chip technology, and automation technology, PDCO will become the most promising model to develop anticancer drugs and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- JuneSung Bae
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Yun Sik Choi
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Gunsik Cho
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Se Jin Jang
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Asan Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-498-2644; Fax: +82-2-498-2655
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19
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Mechanomimetic 3D Scaffolds as a Humanized In Vitro Model for Ovarian Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050824. [PMID: 35269446 PMCID: PMC8909508 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical homeostasis of tissues can be altered in response to trauma or disease, such as cancer, resulting in altered mechanotransduction pathways that have been shown to impact tumor development, progression, and the efficacy of therapeutic approaches. Specifically, ovarian cancer progression is parallel to an increase in tissue stiffness and fibrosis. With in vivo models proving difficult to study, tying tissue mechanics to altered cellular and molecular properties necessitate advanced, tunable, in vitro 3D models able to mimic normal and tumor mechanic features. First, we characterized normal human ovary and high-grade serous (HGSC) ovarian cancer tissue stiffness to precisely mimic their mechanical features on collagen I-based sponge scaffolds, soft (NS) and stiff (MS), respectively. We utilized three ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR-3, Caov-3, and SKOV3) to evaluate changes in viability, morphology, proliferation, and sensitivity to doxorubicin and liposomal doxorubicin treatment in response to a mechanically different microenvironment. High substrate stiffness promoted the proliferation of Caov-3 and SKOV3 cells without changing their morphology, and upregulated mechanosensors YAP/TAZ only in SKOV3 cells. After 7 days in culture, both OVCAR3 and SKOV3 decreased the MS scaffold storage modulus (stiffness), suggesting a link between cell proliferation and the softening of the matrix. Finally, high matrix stiffness resulted in higher OVCAR-3 and SKOV3 cell cytotoxicity in response to doxorubicin. This study demonstrates the promise of biomimetic porous scaffolds for effective inclusion of mechanical parameters in 3D cancer modeling. Furthermore, this work establishes the use of porous scaffolds for studying ovarian cancer cells response to mechanical changes in the microenvironment and as a meaningful platform from which to investigate chemoresistance and drug response.
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Paradiso F, Quintela M, Lenna S, Serpelloni S, James D, Caserta S, Conlan S, Francis L, Taraballi F. Studying Activated Fibroblast Phenotypes and Fibrosis-Linked Mechanosensing Using 3D Biomimetic Models. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2100450. [PMID: 35014177 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis and solid tumor progression are closely related, with both involving pathways associated with chronic wound dysregulation. Fibroblasts contribute to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in these processes, a crucial step in scarring, organ failure, and tumor growth, but little is known about the biophysical evolution of remodeling regulation during the development and progression of matrix-related diseases including fibrosis and cancer. A 3D collagen-based scaffold model is employed here to mimic mechanical changes in normal (2 kPa, soft) versus advanced pathological (12 kPa, stiff) tissues. Activated fibroblasts grown on stiff scaffolds show lower migration and increased cell circularity compared to those on soft scaffolds. This is reflected in gene expression profiles, with cells cultured on stiff scaffolds showing upregulated DNA replication, DNA repair, and chromosome organization gene clusters, and a concomitant loss of ability to remodel and deposit ECM. Soft scaffolds can reproduce biophysically meaningful microenvironments to investigate early stage processes in wound healing and tumor niche formation, while stiff scaffolds can mimic advanced fibrotic and cancer stages. These results establish the need for tunable, affordable 3D scaffolds as platforms for aberrant stroma research and reveal the contribution of physiological and pathological microenvironment biomechanics to gene expression changes in the stromal compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paradiso
- Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology Group, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA28PP, UK.,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6445 Main St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marcos Quintela
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology Group, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA28PP, UK
| | - Stefania Lenna
- Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6445 Main St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Stefano Serpelloni
- Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6445 Main St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David James
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology Group, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA28PP, UK
| | - Sergio Caserta
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.zzle Tecchio 80, Naples, 80125, Italy
| | - Steve Conlan
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology Group, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA28PP, UK
| | - Lewis Francis
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology Group, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA28PP, UK
| | - Francesca Taraballi
- Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6445 Main St, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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21
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Mendoza-Martinez AK, Loessner D, Mata A, Azevedo HS. Modeling the Tumor Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer: The Application of Self-Assembling Biomaterials. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5745. [PMID: 34830897 PMCID: PMC8616551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the leading causes of gynecologic malignancies. Despite treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, OvCa disseminates and recurs frequently, reducing the survival rate for patients. There is an urgent need to develop more effective treatment options for women diagnosed with OvCa. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key driver of disease progression, metastasis and resistance to treatment. For this reason, 3D models have been designed to represent this specific niche and allow more realistic cell behaviors compared to conventional 2D approaches. In particular, self-assembling peptides represent a promising biomaterial platform to study tumor biology. They form nanofiber networks that resemble the architecture of the extracellular matrix and can be designed to display mechanical properties and biochemical motifs representative of the TME. In this review, we highlight the properties and benefits of emerging 3D platforms used to model the ovarian TME. We also outline the challenges associated with using these 3D systems and provide suggestions for future studies and developments. We conclude that our understanding of OvCa and advances in materials science will progress the engineering of novel 3D approaches, which will enable the development of more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karen Mendoza-Martinez
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Daniela Loessner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alvaro Mata
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Helena S. Azevedo
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
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