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Maurya SK, Rehman AU, Zaidi MAA, Khan P, Gautam SK, Santamaria-Barria JA, Siddiqui JA, Batra SK, Nasser MW. Epigenetic alterations fuel brain metastasis via regulating inflammatory cascade. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 154:261-274. [PMID: 36379848 PMCID: PMC10198579 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BrM) is a major threat to the survival of melanoma, breast, and lung cancer patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and sustain in the brain microenvironment. Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications have been found to be critical in controlling key aspects of cancer metastasis. Metastasizing cells confront inflammation and gradually adapt in the unique brain microenvironment. Currently, it is one of the major areas that has gained momentum. Researchers are interested in the factors that modulate neuroinflammation during BrM. We review here various epigenetic factors and mechanisms modulating neuroinflammation and how this helps CTCs to adapt and survive in the brain microenvironment. Since epigenetic changes could be modulated by targeting enzymes such as histone/DNA methyltransferase, deacetylases, acetyltransferases, and demethylases, we also summarize our current understanding of potential drugs targeting various aspects of epigenetic regulation in BrM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra Kumar Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA
| | - Asad Ur Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA
| | - Mohd Ali Abbas Zaidi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA
| | - Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA
| | - Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA
| | | | - Jawed Akhtar Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68108, USA.
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Chen Z, Kelly JR, Morales JE, Sun RC, De A, Burkin DJ, McCarty JH. The alpha7 integrin subunit in astrocytes promotes endothelial blood-brain barrier integrity. Development 2023; 150:dev201356. [PMID: 36960827 PMCID: PMC10112902 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a vascular endothelial cell boundary that partitions the circulation from the central nervous system to promote normal brain health. We have a limited understanding of how the BBB is formed during development and maintained in adulthood. We used quantitative transcriptional profiling to investigate whether specific adhesion molecules are involved in BBB functions, with an emphasis on understanding how astrocytes interact with endothelial cells. Our results reveal a striking enrichment of multiple genes encoding laminin subunits as well as the laminin receptor gene Itga7, which encodes the alpha7 integrin subunit, in astrocytes. Genetic ablation of Itga7 in mice led to aberrant BBB permeability and progressive neurological pathologies. Itga7-/- mice also showed a reduction in laminin protein expression in parenchymal basement membranes. Blood vessels in the Itga7-/- brain showed separation from surrounding astrocytes and had reduced expression of the tight junction proteins claudin 5 and ZO-1. We propose that the alpha7 integrin subunit in astrocytes via adhesion to laminins promotes endothelial cell junction integrity, all of which is required to properly form and maintain a functional BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jack R. Kelly
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John E. Morales
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Raymond C. Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Arpan De
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dean J. Burkin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Joseph H. McCarty
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Zhang SR, Pan M, Gao YB, Fan RY, Bin XN, Qian ST, Tang CL, Ying HJ, Wu JQ, He MF. Efficacy and mechanism study of cordycepin against brain metastases of small cell lung cancer based on zebrafish. Phytomedicine 2023; 109:154613. [PMID: 36610112 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive tumor with high brain metastasis (BM) potential. There has been no significant progress in the treatment of SCLC for more than 30 years. Cordycepin has shown the therapeutic potential for cancer by modulating multiple cellular signaling pathways. However, the effect and mechanism of cordycepin on anti-SCLC BM remain unknown. PURPOSE In this study, we focused on the anti-SCLC BM effect of cordycepin in the zebrafish model and its potential mechanism. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A SCLC xenograft model based on zebrafish embryos and in vitro cell migration assay were established. Cordycepin was administrated by soaking and microinjection in the zebrafish model. RNA-seq assay was performed to analyze transcriptomes of different groups. Geno Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were performed to reveal the underlying mechanism. Real-time qPCR was used to verify the effects of cordycepin on the key genes. RESULTS Cordycepin showed lower cytotoxicity in vitro compared with cisplatin, anlotinib and etoposide, but showed comparable anti-proliferation and anti-BM effects in zebrafish SCLC xenograft model. Cordycepin showed significant anti-SCLC BM effects when administrated by both soaking and microinjection. RNA-seq demonstrated that cordycepin was involved in vitamin D metabolism, lipid transport, and proteolysis in cellular protein catabolic process pathways in SCLC BM microenvironment in zebrafish, and was involved in regulating the expressions of key genes such as cyp24a1, apoa1a, ctsl. The anti-BM effect of cordycepin in SCLC was mediated by reversing the expression of these genes. CONCLUSION Our work is the first to describe the mechanism of cordycepin against SCLC BM from the perspective of regulating the brain microenvironment, providing new evidence for the anti-tumor effect of cordycepin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ru Zhang
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Miao Pan
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Ying-Bin Gao
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Ruo-Yue Fan
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xin-Ni Bin
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Si-Tong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Cheng-Lun Tang
- Luzhou Pinchuang Technology Co. Ltd., Nanjing Sheng Ming Yuan Health Technology Co. Ltd., Nanjing 210032, China
| | - Han-Jie Ying
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Jia-Qi Wu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China.
| | - Ming-Fang He
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China.
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Maurya SK, Khan P, Rehman AU, Kanchan RK, Perumal N, Mahapatra S, Chand HS, Santamaria-Barria JA, Batra SK, Nasser MW. Rethinking the chemokine cascade in brain metastasis: Preventive and therapeutic implications. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:914-930. [PMID: 34968667 PMCID: PMC9234104 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BrM) is one of the major causes of death in cancer patients and is associated with an estimated 10-40 % of total cancer cases. The survival rate of brain metastatic patients has not improved due to intratumor heterogeneity, the survival adaptations of brain homing metastatic cells, and the lack of understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms that limit the availability of effective therapies. The heterogeneous population of immune cells and tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) release various factors, such as chemokines that upon binding to their cognate receptors enhance tumor growth at primary sites and help tumor cells metastasize to the brain. Furthermore, brain metastatic sites have unique heterogeneous microenvironment that fuels cancer cells in establishing BrM. This review explores the crosstalk of chemokines with the heterogeneous TME during the progression of BrM and recognizes potential therapeutic approaches. We also discuss and summarize different targeted, immunotherapeutic, chemotherapeutic, and combinatorial strategies (with chemo-/immune- or targeted-therapies) to attenuate chemokines mediated BrM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra Kumar Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Asad Ur Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Ranjana K Kanchan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Naveenkumar Perumal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Sidharth Mahapatra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Hitendra S Chand
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | | | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA.
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Sirkisoon SR, Wong GL, Aguayo NR, Doheny DL, Zhu D, Regua AT, Arrigo A, Manore SG, Wagner C, Thomas A, Singh R, Xing F, Jin G, Watabe K, Lo HW. Breast cancer extracellular vesicles-derived miR-1290 activates astrocytes in the brain metastatic microenvironment via the FOXA2→CNTF axis to promote progression of brain metastases. Cancer Lett 2022; 540:215726. [PMID: 35589002 PMCID: PMC9387054 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) are still unclear. In this study, we observed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from breast cancer cells with increased expression of tGLI1, a BCBM-promoting transcription factor, strongly activated astrocytes. EV-derived microRNA/miRNA microarray revealed tGLI1-positive breast cancer cells highly secreted miR-1290 and miR-1246 encapsulated in EVs. Genetic knockin/knockout studies established a direct link between tGLI1 and both miRNAs. Datamining and analysis of patient samples revealed that BCBM patients had more circulating EV-miRs-1290/1246 than those without metastasis. Ectopic expression of miR-1290 or miR-1246 strongly activated astrocytes whereas their inhibitors abrogated the effect. Conditioned media from miR-1290- or miR-1246-overexpressing astrocytes promoted mammospheres. Furthermore, miRs-1290/1246 suppressed expression of FOXA2 transcription repressor, leading to CNTF cytokine secretion and subsequent activation of astrocytes. Finally, we conducted a mouse study to demonstrate that astrocytes overexpressing miR-1290, but not miR-1246, enhanced intracranial colonization and growth of breast cancer cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that breast cancer EV-derived miR-1290 and miR-1246 activate astrocytes in the brain metastatic microenvironment and that EV-derived miR-1290 promotes progression of brain metastases through the novel EV-miR-1290→FOXA2→CNTF signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherona R Sirkisoon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Grace L Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Noah R Aguayo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel L Doheny
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dongqin Zhu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Angelina T Regua
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Austin Arrigo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sara G Manore
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Calvin Wagner
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandra Thomas
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ravi Singh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Fei Xing
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Guangxu Jin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
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McKenna M, Filteau JR, Butler B, Sluis K, Chungyoun M, Schimek N, Nance E. Organotypic whole hemisphere brain slice models to study the effects of donor age and oxygen-glucose-deprivation on the extracellular properties of cortical and striatal tissue. J Biol Eng 2022; 16:14. [PMID: 35698088 PMCID: PMC9195469 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-022-00293-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain extracellular environment is involved in many critical processes associated with neurodevelopment, neural function, and repair following injury. Organization of the extracellular matrix and properties of the extracellular space vary throughout development and across different brain regions, motivating the need for platforms that provide access to multiple brain regions at different stages of development. We demonstrate the utility of organotypic whole hemisphere brain slices as a platform to probe regional and developmental changes in the brain extracellular environment. We also leverage whole hemisphere brain slices to characterize the impact of cerebral ischemia on different regions of brain tissue. RESULTS Whole hemisphere brain slices taken from postnatal (P) day 10 and P17 rats retained viable, metabolically active cells through 14 days in vitro (DIV). Oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD), used to model a cerebral ischemic event in vivo, resulted in reduced slice metabolic activity and elevated cell death, regardless of slice age. Slices from P10 and P17 brains showed an oligodendrocyte and microglia-driven proliferative response after OGD exposure, higher than the proliferative response seen in DIV-matched normal control slices. Multiple particle tracking in oxygen-glucose-deprived brain slices revealed that oxygen-glucose-deprivation impacts the extracellular environment of brain tissue differently depending on brain age and brain region. In most instances, the extracellular space was most difficult to navigate immediately following insult, then gradually provided less hindrance to extracellular nanoparticle diffusion as time progressed. However, changes in diffusion were not universal across all brain regions and ages. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate whole hemisphere brain slices from P10 and P17 rats can be cultured up to two weeks in vitro. These brain slices provide a viable platform for studying both normal physiological processes and injury associated mechanisms with control over brain age and region. Ex vivo OGD impacted cortical and striatal brain tissue differently, aligning with preexisting data generated in in vivo models. These data motivate the need to account for both brain region and age when investigating mechanisms of injury and designing potential therapies for cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael McKenna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Box 351750, Seattle, WA, 98195-1750, USA
| | - Jeremy R Filteau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Box 351750, Seattle, WA, 98195-1750, USA
| | - Brendan Butler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Box 351750, Seattle, WA, 98195-1750, USA
| | - Kenneth Sluis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Box 351750, Seattle, WA, 98195-1750, USA
| | - Michael Chungyoun
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Box 351750, Seattle, WA, 98195-1750, USA
| | - Nels Schimek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Nance
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 105 Benson Hall, Box 351750, Seattle, WA, 98195-1750, USA. .,e-Science Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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7
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Rehman AU, Khan P, Maurya SK, Siddiqui JA, Santamaria-Barria JA, Batra SK, Nasser MW. Liquid biopsies to occult brain metastasis. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:113. [PMID: 35538484 PMCID: PMC9088117 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BrM) is a major problem associated with cancer-related mortality, and currently, no specific biomarkers are available in clinical settings for early detection. Liquid biopsy is widely accepted as a non-invasive method for diagnosing cancer and other diseases. We have reviewed the evidence that shows how the molecular alterations are involved in BrM, majorly from breast cancer (BC), lung cancer (LC), and melanoma, with an inception in how they can be employed for biomarker development. We discussed genetic and epigenetic changes that influence cancer cells to breach the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and help to establish metastatic lesions in the uniquely distinct brain microenvironment. Keeping abreast with the recent breakthroughs in the context of various biomolecules detections and identifications, the circulating tumor cells (CTC), cell-free nucleotides, non-coding RNAs, secretory proteins, and metabolites can be pursued in human body fluids such as blood, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine to obtain potential candidates for biomarker development. The liquid biopsy-based biomarkers can overlay with current imaging techniques to amplify the signal viable for improving the early detection and treatments of occult BrM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Ur Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | - Jawed A Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA
| | | | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA. .,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68108, USA.
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Abstract
Tissue engineered systems are important models for the testing and discovery of therapeutics against a number of diseases. The use of these models in vitro can expand both our understanding of the mechanisms behind disease and allow for higher throughput and personalized modeling of therapeutic response. Over the past decade there has been an explosion of models of neurological disorders that can be used in vitro to study new therapies against devastating neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuro-oncological disease. These models span several types of engineered microenvironments which are produced using microfluidic devices, microtissue technology and/or the incorporation of biomaterial scaffolds to model neurological conditions such as; Alzheimer's disease, idiopathic autism, Parkinson's disease, Zika-induced microcephaly and neoplasms. Using engineered brain microenvironments, therapeutics can be tested in more physiologically relevant ways leading to new knowledge of the underlying causes and interactions occurring at the tissue level. However, much is still left to learn and model within these systems to make them truly valuable in the discovery and testing of novel therapies. Here we review the current state of the art of engineered brain microenvironments being used specifically to screen and test new therapeutic strategies and discuss the current benefits and limitations that still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsley M Tate
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer M Munson
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
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Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a vital role in the maintenance of brain homeostasis. It strictly restricts the passage of molecules from the brain vasculature into the brain via its high transendothelial electrical resistance and low paracellular and transcellular permeability. Specialized brain endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, neurons, and microglia contribute synergistically to the functional properties of the BBB. Because of its complexity and relative inaccessibility, BBB research is fraught with difficulties. Most studies rely on animal or cell culture models, which are not able to fully recapitulate the properties of the human BBB. The recent development of three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic models of the BBB could address this issue. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in modeling the BBB on microdevices, and illustrate important considerations for the design of such models. In addition, protocols for the fabrication of a 3D BBB microfluidic chip and BBB assessment experiments, including immunocytochemistry for analyzing cell morphology and protein marker expression, permeability assay, and calcium imaging for studying neuronal function as a measure of BBB integrity, are presented here. It is envisioned that continued advancements in microtechnology can lead to the creation of realistic in vivo-like BBB-on-chip models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Chin
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Eyleen Goh
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore.
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