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Solbu AA, Caballero D, Damigos S, Kundu SC, Reis RL, Halaas Ø, Chahal AS, Strand BL. Assessing cell migration in hydrogels: An overview of relevant materials and methods. Mater Today Bio 2022; 18:100537. [PMID: 36659998 PMCID: PMC9842866 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is essential in numerous living processes, including embryonic development, wound healing, immune responses, and cancer metastasis. From individual cells to collectively migrating epithelial sheets, the locomotion of cells is tightly regulated by multiple structural, chemical, and biological factors. However, the high complexity of this process limits the understanding of the influence of each factor. Recent advances in materials science, tissue engineering, and microtechnology have expanded the toolbox and allowed the development of biomimetic in vitro assays to investigate the mechanisms of cell migration. Particularly, three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels have demonstrated a superior ability to mimic the extracellular environment. They are therefore well suited to studying cell migration in a physiologically relevant and more straightforward manner than in vivo approaches. A myriad of synthetic and naturally derived hydrogels with heterogeneous characteristics and functional properties have been reported. The extensive portfolio of available hydrogels with different mechanical and biological properties can trigger distinct biological responses in cells affecting their locomotion dynamics in 3D. Herein, we describe the most relevant hydrogels and their associated physico-chemical characteristics typically employed to study cell migration, including established cell migration assays and tracking methods. We aim to give the reader insight into existing literature and practical details necessary for performing cell migration studies in 3D environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Akbarzadeh Solbu
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - David Caballero
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal,ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Spyridon Damigos
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Subhas C. Kundu
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal,ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal,ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Øyvind Halaas
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Aman S. Chahal
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway,Corresponding author. Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Berit L. Strand
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Corresponding author.
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Zhou X, Zhao R, Yanamandra AK, Hoth M, Qu B. Light-Sheet Scattering Microscopy to Visualize Long-Term Interactions Between Cells and Extracellular Matrix. Front Immunol 2022; 13:828634. [PMID: 35154150 PMCID: PMC8831865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.828634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Visualizing interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) mesh is important to understand cell behavior and regulatory mechanisms by the extracellular environment. However, long term visualization of three-dimensional (3D) matrix structures remains challenging mainly due to photobleaching or blind spots perpendicular to the imaging plane. Here, we combine label-free light-sheet scattering microcopy (LSSM) and fluorescence microscopy to solve these problems. We verified that LSSM can reliably visualize structures of collagen matrices from different origin including bovine, human and rat tail. The quality and intensity of collagen structure images acquired by LSSM did not decline with time. LSSM offers abundant wavelength choice to visualize matrix structures, maximizing combination possibilities with fluorescently-labelled cells, allowing visualizing of long-term ECM-cell interactions in 3D. Interestingly, we observed ultrathin thread-like structures between cells and matrix using LSSM, which were not observed by normal fluorescence microscopy. Transient local alignment of matrix by cell-applied forces can be observed. In summary, LSSM provides a powerful and robust approach to investigate the complex interplay between cells and ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangda Zhou
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Renping Zhao
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Archana K Yanamandra
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Markus Hoth
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Bin Qu
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
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3
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Darras A, Breunig HG, John T, Zhao R, Koch J, Kummerow C, König K, Wagner C, Kaestner L. Imaging Erythrocyte Sedimentation in Whole Blood. Front Physiol 2022; 12:729191. [PMID: 35153805 PMCID: PMC8832033 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.729191] [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: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is one of the oldest medical diagnostic tools. However, currently there is some debate on the structure formed by the cells during the sedimentation process. While the conventional view is that erythrocytes sediment as separate aggregates, others have suggested that they form a percolating gel, similar to other colloidal suspensions. However, visualization of aggregated erythrocytes, which would settle the question, has always been challenging. Direct methods usually study erythrocytes in 2D situations or low hematocrit (∼1%). Indirect methods, such as scattering or electric measurements, provide insight on the suspension evolution, but cannot directly discriminate between open or percolating structures. Here, we achieved a direct probing of the structures formed by erythrocytes in blood at stasis. We focused on blood samples at rest with controlled hematocrit of 45%, from healthy donors, and report observations from three different optical imaging techniques: direct light transmission through thin samples, two-photon microscopy and light-sheet microscopy. The three techniques, used in geometries with thickness from 150 μm to 3 mm, highlight that erythrocytes form a continuous network with characteristic cracks, i.e., a colloidal gel. The characteristic distance between the main cracks is of the order of ∼100 μm. A complete description of the structure then requires a field of view of the order of ∼1 mm, in order to obtain a statistically relevant number of structural elements. A quantitative analysis of the erythrocyte related processes and interactions during the sedimentation need a further refinement of the experimental set-ups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Darras
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hans Georg Breunig
- Biophotonics and Laser Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Thomas John
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Renping Zhao
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Koch
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Kummerow
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Karsten König
- Biophotonics and Laser Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- JenLab GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Wagner
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Lars Kaestner
- Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Theoretical Medicine and Biosciences, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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Zhao R, Zhou X, Khan ES, Alansary D, Friedmann KS, Yang W, Schwarz EC, del Campo A, Hoth M, Qu B. Targeting the Microtubule-Network Rescues CTL Killing Efficiency in Dense 3D Matrices. Front Immunol 2021; 12:729820. [PMID: 34484240 PMCID: PMC8416057 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficacy of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-based immunotherapy is still unsatisfactory against solid tumors, which are frequently characterized by condensed extracellular matrix. Here, using a unique 3D killing assay, we identify that the killing efficiency of primary human CTLs is substantially impaired in dense collagen matrices. Although the expression of cytotoxic proteins in CTLs remained intact in dense collagen, CTL motility was largely compromised. Using light-sheet microscopy, we found that persistence and velocity of CTL migration was influenced by the stiffness and porosity of the 3D matrix. Notably, 3D CTL velocity was strongly correlated with their nuclear deformability, which was enhanced by disruption of the microtubule network especially in dense matrices. Concomitantly, CTL migration, search efficiency, and killing efficiency in dense collagen were significantly increased in microtubule-perturbed CTLs. In addition, the chemotherapeutically used microtubule inhibitor vinblastine drastically enhanced CTL killing efficiency in dense collagen. Together, our findings suggest targeting the microtubule network as a promising strategy to enhance efficacy of CTL-based immunotherapy against solid tumors, especially stiff solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renping Zhao
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Xiangda Zhou
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Essak S. Khan
- INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Dalia Alansary
- Molecular Biophysics, CIPMM, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Kim S. Friedmann
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Eva C. Schwarz
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Markus Hoth
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Bin Qu
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
- INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Zhu J, Yang W, Zhou X, Zöphel D, Soriano-Baguet L, Dolgener D, Carlein C, Hof C, Zhao R, Ye S, Schwarz EC, Brenner D, Prates Roma L, Qu B. High Glucose Enhances Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-Mediated Cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:689337. [PMID: 34248978 PMCID: PMC8267470 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.689337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key players to eliminate tumorigenic or pathogen-infected cells using lytic granules (LG) and Fas ligand (FasL) pathways. Depletion of glucose leads to severely impaired cytotoxic function of CTLs. However, the impact of excessive glucose on CTL functions still remains largely unknown. Here we used primary human CD8+ T cells, which were stimulated by CD3/CD28 beads and cultured in medium either containing high glucose (HG, 25 mM) or normal glucose (NG, 5.6 mM). We found that in HG-CTLs, glucose uptake and glycolysis were enhanced, whereas proliferation remained unaltered. Furthermore, CTLs cultured in HG exhibited an enhanced CTL killing efficiency compared to their counterparts in NG. Unexpectedly, expression of cytotoxic proteins (perforin, granzyme A, granzyme B and FasL), LG release, cytokine/cytotoxic protein release and CTL migration remained unchanged in HG-cultured CTLs. Interestingly, additional extracellular Ca2+ diminished HG-enhanced CTL killing function. Our findings suggest that in an environment with excessive glucose, CTLs could eliminate target cells more efficiently, at least for a certain period of time, in a Ca2+-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Xiangda Zhou
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Dorina Zöphel
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Leticia Soriano-Baguet
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Denise Dolgener
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Carlein
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Chantal Hof
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Renping Zhao
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Shandong Ye
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Eva C. Schwarz
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Brenner
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense University Hospital University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Leticia Prates Roma
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Bin Qu
- Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
- INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Sadjadi Z, Zhao R, Hoth M, Qu B, Rieger H. Migration of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in 3D Collagen Matrices. Biophys J 2020; 119:2141-2152. [PMID: 33264597 PMCID: PMC7732778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer cells are the main cytotoxic killer cells of the human body to eliminate pathogen-infected or tumorigenic cells (also known as target cells). To find their targets, they have to navigate and migrate through complex biological microenvironments, a key component of which is the extracellular matrix (ECM). The mechanisms underlying killer cell's navigation are not well understood. To mimic an ECM, we use a matrix formed by different collagen concentrations and analyze migration trajectories of primary human CTLs. Different migration patterns are observed and can be grouped into three motility types: slow, fast, and mixed. The dynamics are well described by a two-state persistent random walk model, which allows cells to switch between slow motion with low persistence and fast motion with high persistence. We hypothesize that the slow motility mode describes CTLs creating channels through the collagen matrix by deforming and tearing apart collagen fibers and that the fast motility mode describes CTLs moving within these channels. Experimental evidence supporting this scenario is presented by visualizing migrating T cells following each other on exactly the same track and showing cells moving quickly in channel-like cavities within the surrounding collagen matrix. Consequently, the efficiency of the stochastic search process of CTLs in the ECM should strongly be influenced by a dynamically changing channel network produced by the killer cells themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Sadjadi
- Department of Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophysics, Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
| | - Renping Zhao
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Markus Hoth
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Bin Qu
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany; Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Heiko Rieger
- Department of Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophysics, Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
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Backes CS, Friedmann KS, Mang S, Knörck A, Hoth M, Kummerow C. Natural killer cells induce distinct modes of cancer cell death: Discrimination, quantification, and modulation of apoptosis, necrosis, and mixed forms. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:16348-16363. [PMID: 30190323 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune therapy of cancer is among the most promising recent advances in medicine. Whether the immune system can keep cancer in check depends on, among other factors, the efficiency of immune cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. We describe a time-resolved single-cell assay that reports the quality, quantity, and kinetics of target cell death induced by single primary human natural killer (NK) cells. The assay reveals that single NK cells induce cancer cell death by apoptosis and necrosis but also by mixed forms. Inhibition of either one of the two major cytotoxic pathways, perforin/granzyme release or FasL/FasR interaction, unmasked the parallel activity of the other one. Ca2+ influx through Orai channels is important for tuning killer cell function. We found that the apoptosis/necrosis ratio of cancer cell death by NK cells is controlled by the magnitude of Ca2+ entry and furthermore by the relative concentrations of perforin and granzyme B. The possibility to change the apoptosis/necrosis ratio employed by NK cells offers an intriguing possibility to modulate the immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian S Backes
- From the Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Kim S Friedmann
- From the Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mang
- From the Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Arne Knörck
- From the Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Markus Hoth
- From the Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Kummerow
- From the Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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