An ex vivo co-culture model system to evaluate stromal-epithelial interactions in breast cancer

Emerging technologies for quality control of cell-based, advanced therapy medicinal products

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) are complex medicines based on gene therapy, somatic cell therapy, and tissue engineering. These products are rapidly arising as novel and promising therapies for a wide range of different clinical applications. The process for the development of well-established ATMPs is challenging. Many issues must be considered from raw material, manufacturing, safety, and pricing to assure the quality of ATMPs and their implementation as innovative therapeutic tools. Among ATMPs, cell-based ATMPs are drugs altogether. As for standard drugs, technologies for quality control, and non-invasive isolation and production of cell-based ATMPs are then needed to ensure their rapidly expanding applications and ameliorate safety and standardization of cell production. In this review, emerging approaches and technologies for quality control of innovative cell-based ATMPs are described. Among new techniques, microfluid-based systems show advantages related to their miniaturization, easy implementation in analytical process and automation which allow for the standardization of the final product.

Exploring the future of regenerative medicine: Unveiling the potential of optical microscopy for structural and functional imaging of stem cells

Regenerative medicine, which utilizes stem cells for tissue and organ repair, holds immense promise in healthcare. A comprehensive understanding of stem cell characteristics is crucial to unlock their potential. This study explores the pivotal role of optical microscopy in advancing regenerative medicine as a potent tool for stem cell research. Advanced optical microscopy techniques enable an in-depth examination of stem cell behavior, morphology, and functionality. The review encompasses current optical microscopy, elucidating its capabilities and constraints in stem cell imaging, while also shedding light on emerging technologies for improved stem cell visualization. Optical microscopy, complemented by techniques like fluorescence and multiphoton imaging, enhances our comprehension of stem cell dynamics. The introduction of label-free imaging facilitates noninvasive, real-time stem cell monitoring without external dyes or markers. By pushing the boundaries of optical microscopy, researchers reveal the intricate cellular mechanisms underpinning regenerative processes, thereby advancing more effective therapeutic strategies. The current study not only outlines the future of regenerative medicine but also underscores the pivotal role of optical microscopy in both structural and functional stem cell imaging.

Obesity: The Fat Tissue Disease Version of Cancer

Obesity is a disease with high potential for fatality. It perfectly fits the disease definition, as cancer does. This is because it damages body structure and functions, both mechanically and biologically, and alters physical, mental, and social health. In addition, it shares many common morbid characteristics with the most feared disease, cancer. For example, it is influenced by a sophisticated interaction between a person’s genetics, the environment, and an increasing number of other backgrounds. Furthermore, it displays abnormal cell growth and proliferation events, only limited to white fat, resulting in adipose tissue taking up an increasing amount of space within the body. This occurs through fat “metastases” and via altered signaling that further aggravates the pathology of obesity by inducing ubiquitous dishomeostasis. These metastases can be made graver by angiogenesis, which might boost diseased tissue growth. More common features with cancer include its progressive escalation through different levels of severity and its possibility of re-onset after recovery. Despite all these similarities with cancer, obesity is substantially less agitating for most people. Thus, the ideas proposed herein could have utility to sensitize the public opinion about the hard reality of obesity. This is increasingly needed, as the obesity pandemic has waged a fierce war against our bodies and society in general, while there is still doubt about whether it is a real disease or not. Hence, raising public consciousness to properly face health issues is crucial to improving our health instead of gaining weight unhealthily. It is obviously illogical to fight cancer extremely seriously on the one hand and to consider dying with obesity as self-inflicted on the other. In fact, obesity merits a top position among the most lethal diseases besides cancer.

In silico design and fabrication of an SFI chip-based microspheroid culture system

The emergence of microfluidic devices and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has propelled the need for next-generation biomimetic cell culture platforms that are flexible for monitoring and regulation. Therefore, this study evaluated a CFD application in an in silico-designed and spheroid-based flow integration 3D cell culture chip (SFI chip) to illustrate cell culture, drug screening, cytokine delivery, and differentiation of cells in a platform that partially recapitulates the natural environment. Our results show that a flow rate of 0.05 mL h^-1 or less induced no physical stress in the SFI chip (15 mm), and uniform cell spheroids (approximately 200 μm) were formed across the platform. The cultured cells were tested in several experimental contexts (co-culture, drug screening, cytokine delivery, and differentiation), demonstrating the usefulness of computational simulation in expediting discovery and simple and effective means to scale the production of standardized cell spheroids cultured under dynamic and natural conditions. Advanced cell culture technologies can be used to accelerate research and discovery and the preclinical and clinical development of cell and cell-free therapies for urgent medical needs.

Detection of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Assessment of Fulvestrant Activity in MCF-7 Tumor Spheroids Using Microfluidics and SERS

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women. Novel in vitro tools that integrate three-dimensional (3D) tumor models with highly sensitive chemical reporters can provide useful information to aid biological characterization of cancer phenotype and understanding of drug activity. The combination of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) techniques with microfluidic technologies offers new opportunities for highly selective, specific, and multiplexed nanoparticle-based assays. Here, we explored the use of functionalized nanoparticles for the detection of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression in a 3D tumor model, using the ERα-positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This approach was used to compare targeted versus nontargeted nanoparticle interactions with the tumor model to better understand whether targeted nanotags are required to efficiently target ERα. Mixtures of targeted anti-ERα antibody-functionalized nanotags (ERα-AuNPs) and nontargeted (against ERα) anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody-functionalized nanotags (HER2-AuNPs), with different Raman reporters with a similar SERS signal intensity, were incubated with MCF-7 spheroids in microfluidic devices and spectroscopically analyzed using SERS. MCF-7 cells express high levels of ERα and no detectable levels of HER2. 2D and 3D SERS measurements confirmed the strong targeting effect of ERα-AuNP nanotags to the MCF-7 spheroids in contrast to HER2-AuNPs (63% signal reduction). Moreover, 3D SERS measurements confirmed the differentiation between the targeted and the nontargeted nanotags. Finally, we demonstrated how nanotag uptake by MCF-7 spheroids was affected by the drug fulvestrant, the first-in-class approved selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD). These results illustrate the potential of using SERS and microfluidics as a powerful in vitro platform for the characterization of 3D tumor models and the investigation of SERD activity.

A Novel 3-Dimensional Co-culture Method Reveals a Partial Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition in Breast Cancer Cells Induced by Adipocytes

Cancer metastases are accountable for almost 90% of all human cancer related deaths including from breast cancer (BC). Adipocytes can alter the tumor microenvironment, which can promote metastasis by inducing an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in BC cells. However, the role of adipocytes during the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), that can be important in metastasis, is not clear. To understand the effect of adipocytes on the BC progression, there is a requirement for a better in vitro 3-dimensional (3D) co-culture system that mimics the breast tissue and allows for more accurate analysis of EMT and MET. We developed a co-culture system to analyze the relationship of BC cells grown in a 3D culture with adipocytes. We found that adipocytes and adipocyte-derived conditioned media, but not pre-adipocytes, caused the mesenchymal MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t cells to form significantly more epithelial-like structures when compared to the typical stellate colonies formed in control 3D cultures. SUM159 cells and MCF7 cells had a less dramatic shift as they normally have more epithelial-like structure in 3D culture. Biomarker expression analysis revealed that adipocytes only induced a partial MET with proliferation unaffected. In addition, adipocytes had reduced lipid droplet size when co-cultured with BC cells. Thus, we found that physical interaction with adipocytes and ECM changes the mesenchymal phenotype of BC cells in a manner that could promote secondary tumor formation.

Overexpression of ADAMTS-2 in tumor cells and stroma is predictive of poor clinical prognosis in gastric cancer

ADAMTS-2 is a member of the ADAMTS family and is a procollagen N-proteinase. The objective of our research is to explore the prognostic significance of ADAMTS-2 in gastric carcinoma. A total of 655 samples with full clinicopathological data were investigated in this study. Tissue microarray immunohistochemistry analysis was used to analyze the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and ADAMTS-2 expression. Oncomine and Kaplan-Meier plotters were performed for the relationship analysis between prognosis and ADAMTS-2 expression in patients with gastric cancer. Compared with that of normal tissues, the ADAMTS-2 protein expression was remarkably higher in gastric cancer cells and fibroblast cells. The results of univariate analysis indicated that the expression of ADAMTS-2 in tumor cells and fibroblast cells, Laurén classification, TNM grade, and carcinoembryonic antigen level in gastric cancer were all correlated with overall survival. The results of multivariate analysis indicated that the high expression of ADAMTS-2 in gastric cancer cells and fibroblast cells both were independent prognostic factors. Therefore, ADAMTS-2 may be a potential biomarker for assessing the prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

Feiji Recipe inhibits the growth of lung cancer by modulating T-cell immunity through indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase pathway in an orthotopic implantation model

OBJECTIVE

Escape from the body's immune response is a basic characteristic of lung cancer, and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) plays a key role in mediating immune escape of non-small-cell lung cancer, which leads to recurrence and metastasis. Feiji Recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, has the effect of stabilizing lesions and prolonging survival in patients with lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the anticancer properties of Feiji Recipe.

METHODS

An orthotopic transplant model of mouse Lewis lung cancer, with stable expression of IDO gene, was established in C57BL/6 mice. Optical imaging was used to observe the effects of Feiji Recipe in the treatment of lung cancer in vivo. The effects of Feiji Recipe on the proliferation of mouse Lewis lung cancer cell line 2LL, 2LL-enhanced green fluorescent protein (2LL-EGFP) and 2LL-EGFP-IDO were investigated, and the apoptosis of T-cells was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide using flow cytometry. Chemical composition of Feiji Recipe was validated by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the survival of animals treated with Feiji Recipe was significantly prolonged (P = 0.0074), and the IDO protein level decreased (P = 0.0072); moreover, the percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T-cells and Foxp3⁺ T-cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The molecular mechanism of Feiji Recipe against lung cancer may relate to the regulation of immune cells, such as T-cells and regulatory T-cells.

CONCLUSION

The molecular mechanism of Feiji Recipe in treatment of lung cancer is to restore the function of T-cells in the cancer microenvironment through interfering with the IDO pathway.

Adipocyte/breast cancer cell crosstalk in obesity interferes with the anti-proliferative efficacy of tamoxifen

Background

Obesity is a well-known risk factor of breast cancer in post-menopausal women that also correlates with a diminished therapeutic response. The influence of adipocytes and their secretome, i.e. adipokines, on the efficacy of hormone therapy has yet to be elucidated.

Methods

We investigated, ex vivo, whether mature adipocytes, differentiated from adipose stem cells of normal-weight (MA20) or obese (MA30) women, and their secretions, were able to counteract the effects of tamoxifen (Tx) which is known to decrease neoplastic cell proliferation.

Results

In a tridimensional model and in a model of co-culture, the anti-proliferative effect of Tx on MCF-7 cancer cells was counteracted by MA30. These two models highlighted two different specific gene expression profiles for genes encoding cytokines or involved in angiogenesis based on the adipocyte microenvironment and the treatment. Thus it notably showed altered expression of genes such as TNFα that correlated with IL-6. In addition, leptin, IL-6 and TNFα, at concentrations reflecting plasma concentrations in obese patients, decreased the anti-proliferative efficacy of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (a major active metabolite of Tx).

Conclusions

These findings bring insights on adipocytes and mammary cancer cell interactions in Tx therapy, particularly in overweight/obese people. Indeed, patient’ adipokine status would give valuable information for developing individual strategies and avoid resistance to treatment.

Raman spectroscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering imaging: prospective tools for monitoring skeletal cells and skeletal regeneration

The use of skeletal stem cells (SSCs) for cell-based therapies is currently one of the most promising areas for skeletal disease treatment and skeletal tissue repair. The ability for controlled modification of SSCs could provide significant therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine, with the prospect to permanently repopulate a host with stem cells and their progeny. Currently, SSC differentiation into the stromal lineages of bone, fat and cartilage is assessed using different approaches that typically require cell fixation or lysis, which are invasive or even destructive. Raman spectroscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy present an exciting alternative for studying biological systems in their natural state, without any perturbation. Here we review the applications of Raman spectroscopy and CARS imaging in stem-cell research, and discuss the potential of these two techniques for evaluating SSCs, skeletal tissues and skeletal regeneration as an exemplar.

A recapitulative three-dimensional model of breast carcinoma requires perfusion for multi-week growth

Breast carcinomas are complex, three-dimensional tissues composed of cancer epithelial cells and stromal components, including fibroblasts and extracellular matrix. In vitro models that more faithfully recapitulate this dimensionality and stromal microenvironment should more accurately elucidate the processes driving carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and therapeutic response. Herein, novel in vitro breast carcinoma surrogates, distinguished by a relevant dimensionality and stromal microenvironment, are described and characterized. A perfusion bioreactor system was used to deliver medium to surrogates containing engineered microchannels and the effects of perfusion, medium composition, and the method of cell incorporation and density of initial cell seeding on the growth and morphology of surrogates were assessed. Perfused surrogates demonstrated significantly greater cell density and proliferation and were more histologically recapitulative of human breast carcinoma than surrogates maintained without perfusion. Although other parameters of the surrogate system, such as medium composition and cell seeding density, affected cell growth, perfusion was the most influential parameter.

Live-cell quantification and comparison of mammalian oocyte cytosolic lipid content between species, during development, and in relation to body composition using nonlinear vibrational microscopy

Cytosolic lipids participate in the growth, development, and overall health of mammalian oocytes including many roles in cellular homeostasis. Significant emphasis has been placed on the study of lipids as a dynamic organelle, which in turn requires the development of tools and techniques to quantitate and compare how lipid content relates to cellular structure, function, and normalcy. Objectives of this study were to determine if nonlinear vibrational microscopy (e.g., coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering or CARS microscopy) could be used for live-cell imaging to quantify and compare lipid content in mammalian oocytes during development and in relation to body composition; and compare its efficacy to methods involving cellular fixation and staining protocols. Results of this study demonstrate that CARS is able to identify lipids in live mammalian oocytes, and there exists quantifiable and consistent differences in percent lipid composition across ooctyes of different species, developmental stages, and in relation to body composition. Such a method of live-cell lipid quantification has (i) experimental power in basic cell biology, (ii) practical utility for identifying developmental predictive biomarkers while advancing biology-based oocyte/embryo selection, and (iii) ability to yield rationally supporting technology for decision-making in rodents, domestic species, and human assisted reproduction and/or fertility preservation.

New 3D-Culture Approaches to Study Interactions of Bone Marrow Adipocytes with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cells

Adipocytes are a major component of the bone marrow that can critically affect metastatic progression in bone. Understanding how the marrow fat cells influence growth, behavior, and survival of tumor cells requires utilization of in vitro cell systems that can closely mimic the physiological microenvironment. Herein, we present two new three-dimensional (3D) culture approaches to study adipocyte-tumor cell interactions in vitro. The first is a transwell-based system composed of the marrow-derived adipocytes in 3D collagen I gels and reconstituted basement membrane-overlayed prostate tumor cell spheroids. Tumor cells cultured under these 3D conditions are continuously exposed to adipocyte-derived factors, and their response can be evaluated by morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. We show via immunofluorescence analysis of metabolism-associated proteins that under 3D conditions tumor cells have significantly different metabolic response to adipocytes than tumor cells grown in 2D culture. We also demonstrate that this model allows for incorporation of other cell types, such as bone marrow macrophages, and utilization of dye-quenched collagen substrates for examination of proteolysis-driven responses to adipocyte- and macrophage-derived factors. Our second 3D culture system is designed to study tumor cell invasion toward the adipocytes and the consequent interaction between the two cell types. In this model, marrow adipocytes are separated from the fluorescently labeled tumor cells by a layer of collagen I. At designated time points, adipocytes are stained with BODIPY and confocal z-stacks are taken through the depth of the entire culture to determine the distance traveled between the two cell types over time. We demonstrate that this system can be utilized to study effects of candidate factors on tumor invasion toward the adipocytes. We also show that immunohistochemical analyses can be performed to evaluate the impact of direct interaction of prostate tumor cells with adipocytes. Our models underline the importance of using the appropriate culture conditions to mimic physiological interactions between marrow adipocytes and metastatic tumor cells. These systems have a potential to be utilized for analyses of various factors that may be regulated by the adipocytes in bone. Their application likely extends beyond metastatic prostate cancer to other tumors that colonize the bone marrow microenvironment.

Printing cancer cells into intact microvascular networks: a model for investigating cancer cell dynamics during angiogenesis

While cancer cell invasion and metastasis are dependent on cancer cell-stroma, cancer cell-blood vessel, and cancer cell-lymphatic vessel interactions, our understanding of these interactions remain largely unknown. A need exists for physiologically-relevant models that more closely mimic the complexity of cancer cell dynamics in a real tissue environment. The objective of this study was to combine laser-based cell printing and tissue culture methods to create a novel ex vivo model in which cancer cell dynamics can be tracked during angiogenesis in an intact microvascular network. Laser direct-write (LDW) was utilized to reproducibly deposit breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and fibroblasts into spatially-defined patterns on cultured rat mesenteric tissues. In addition, heterogeneous patterns containing co-printed MDA-MB-231/fibroblasts or MDA-MB-231/MCF-7 cells were generated for fibroblast-directed and collective cell invasion models. Printed cells remained viable and the cells retained the ability to proliferate in serum-rich media conditions. Over a culture period of five days, time-lapse imaging confirmed fibroblast and MDA-MB-231 cell migration within the microvascular networks. Confocal microscopy indicated that printed MDA-MB-231 cells infiltrated the tissue thickness and were capable of interacting with endothelial cells. Angiogenic network growth in tissue areas containing printed cancer cells was characterized by significantly increased capillary sprouting compared to control tissue areas containing no printed cells. Our results establish an innovative ex vivo experimental platform that enables time-lapse evaluation of cancer cell dynamics during angiogenesis within a real microvascular network scenario.

Leptin-STAT3-G9a Signaling Promotes Obesity-Mediated Breast Cancer Progression

Obesity has been linked to breast cancer progression but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here we report how leptin, an obesity-associated adipokine, regulates a transcriptional pathway to silence a genetic program of epithelial homeostasis in breast cancer stem-like cells (CSC) that promotes malignant progression. Using genome-wide ChIP-seq and RNA expression profiling, we defined a role for activated STAT3 and G9a histone methyltransferase in epigenetic silencing of miR-200c, which promotes the formation of breast CSCs defined by elevated cell surface levels of the leptin receptor (OBR(hi)). Inhibiting the STAT3/G9a pathway restored expression of miR-200c, which in turn reversed the CSC phenotype to a more differentiated epithelial phenotype. In a rat model of breast cancer driven by diet-induced obesity, STAT3 blockade suppressed the CSC-like OBR(hi) population and abrogated tumor progression. Together, our results show how targeting STAT3-G9a signaling regulates CSC plasticity during obesity-related breast cancer progression, suggesting a novel therapeutic paradigm to suppress CSC pools and limit breast malignancy.

Leptin, adipocytes and breast cancer: Focus on inflammation and anti-tumor immunity

More than one million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year and more than 400,000 deaths are caused by the disease. The origin of this pathology is multifactorial and involved genetic, hormonal, environmental and nutritional factors including obesity in postmenopausal women. The role played by the adipose tissue and their secretions, ie adipokines, is beginning to be recognized. Plasma adipokine levels, which are modulated during obesity, could have “remote” effects on mammary carcinogenesis. Breast cancer cells are surrounded and locally influenced by an adipocyte microenvironment, which is probably more extensive in obese people. Hence, leptin appears to be strongly involved in mammary carcinogenesis and may contribute to the local pro-inflammatory mechanisms, especially in obese patients, who have increased metastatic potential and greater risk of mortality. This review presents the multifaceted role of leptin in breast cancer development and the different molecular pathways involved such as inflammation, oxidative stress and antitumor immunity.

Persistent organic pollutants and obesity: are they potential mechanisms for breast cancer promotion?

Dietary ingestion of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is correlated with the development of obesity. Obesity alters metabolism, induces an inflammatory tissue microenvironment, and is also linked to diabetes and breast cancer risk/promotion of the disease. However, no direct evidence exists with regard to the correlation among all three of these factors (POPs, obesity, and breast cancer). Herein, we present results from current correlative studies indicating a causal link between POP exposure through diet and their bioaccumulation in adipose tissue that promotes the development of obesity and ultimately influences breast cancer development and/or progression. Furthermore, as endocrine disruptors, POPs could interfere with hormonally responsive tissue functions causing dysregulation of hormone signaling and cell function. This review highlights the critical need for advanced in vitro and in vivo model systems to elucidate the complex relationship among obesity, POPs, and breast cancer, and, more importantly, to delineate their multifaceted molecular, cellular, and biochemical mechanisms. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies directly testing the observed correlations as well as detailing their molecular mechanisms are vital to cancer research and, ultimately, public health.

A journey to uncharted territory: new technical frontiers in studying tumor-stromal cell interactions

The crosstalk between tumor cells and cells of the tumor stroma dictate malignant progression and represent an intriguing and viable anticancer therapeutic target. The successful development of therapeutics targeting tumor-stroma interactions is tied to the insight provided by basic research on such crosstalk. Tumor-stroma interactions can be transient and dynamic, and they occur within defined spatiotemporal contexts among genetically and compositionally heterogeneous populations of cells, yet methods currently applied to study the said crosstalk do not sufficiently address these features. Emerging imaging and genetic methods, however, can overcome limitations of traditional approaches and provide unprecedented insight into tumor-stroma crosstalk with unparalleled accuracy. The comprehensive data obtained by applying emerging methods will require processing and analysis by multidisciplinary teams, but the efforts will ultimately rejuvenate hope in developing novel therapies against pro-tumorigenic tumor-stroma crosstalk.

Human mammary microenvironment better regulates the biology of human breast cancer in humanized mouse model

During the past decades, many efforts have been made in mimicking the clinical progress of human cancer in mouse models. Previously, we developed a human breast tissue-derived (HB) mouse model. Theoretically, it may mimic the interactions between "species-specific" mammary microenvironment of human origin and human breast cancer cells. However, detailed evidences are absent. The present study (in vivo, cellular, and molecular experiments) was designed to explore the regulatory role of human mammary microenvironment in the progress of human breast cancer cells. Subcutaneous (SUB), mammary fat pad (MFP), and HB mouse models were developed for in vivo comparisons. Then, the orthotopic tumor masses from three different mouse models were collected for primary culture. Finally, the biology of primary cultured human breast cancer cells was compared by cellular and molecular experiments. Results of in vivo mouse models indicated that human breast cancer cells grew better in human mammary microenvironment. Cellular and molecular experiments confirmed that primary cultured human breast cancer cells from HB mouse model showed a better proliferative and anti-apoptotic biology than those from SUB to MFP mouse models. Meanwhile, primary cultured human breast cancer cells from HB mouse model also obtained the migratory and invasive biology for "species-specific" tissue metastasis to human tissues. Comprehensive analyses suggest that "species-specific" mammary microenvironment of human origin better regulates the biology of human breast cancer cells in our humanized mouse model of breast cancer, which is more consistent with the clinical progress of human breast cancer.

Advanced cell culture techniques for cancer drug discovery

Human cancer cell lines are an integral part of drug discovery practices. However, modeling the complexity of cancer utilizing these cell lines on standard plastic substrata, does not accurately represent the tumor microenvironment. Research into developing advanced tumor cell culture models in a three-dimensional (3D) architecture that more prescisely characterizes the disease state have been undertaken by a number of laboratories around the world. These 3D cell culture models are particularly beneficial for investigating mechanistic processes and drug resistance in tumor cells. In addition, a range of molecular mechanisms deconstructed by studying cancer cells in 3D models suggest that tumor cells cultured in two-dimensional monolayer conditions do not respond to cancer therapeutics/compounds in a similar manner. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of utilizing 3D cell culture models in drug discovery programs; however, it is evident that further research is required for the development of more complex models that incorporate the majority of the cellular and physical properties of a tumor.

The need for complex 3D culture models to unravel novel pathways and identify accurate biomarkers in breast cancer

The recent cataloging of the genomic aberrations in breast cancer has revealed the diversity and complexity of the disease at the genetic level. To unravel the functional consequences of specific repertoires of mutations and copy number changes on signaling pathways in breast cancer, it is crucial to develop model systems that truly recapitulate the disease. Here we discuss the three-dimensional culture models currently being used or recently developed for the study of normal mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer, including primary tumors and dormancy. We discuss the insights gained from these models in regards to cell signaling and potential therapeutic strategies, and the challenges that need to be met for the generation of heterotypic breast cancer model systems that are amenable for high-throughput approaches.

Enhanced detection of metastatic prostate cancer cells in human plasma with lipid bodies staining

BACKGROUND

Reprogramming of energy metabolism of malignant cancer cells confers competitive advantage in growth environments with limited resources. However, not every process of cancer development is associated with competition for resources. During hematogenous transport, cancer cells are exposed to high levels of oxygen and nutrients. Does energy metabolism of cancer cells change as a function of exposure to the bloodstream? Could such changes be exploited to improve the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC)? These questions have clinical significance, but have not yet been sufficiently examined.

METHODS

The energy metabolism was examined as a function of incubation in nutrient-rich plasma in prostate metastatic cancer cells LNCaP and non-transformed prostate epithelial cells RWPE1. Uptake kinetics of a fluorescent glucose analog (2-NBD) and lipophilic dyes (DiD & Bodipy) were measured in both cell lines, as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

RESULTS

LNCaP cells exhibited hyper-acetylation of low molecular weight proteins compared to RWPE1 cells. Following plasma incubation, protein lysine acetylation profile was unchanged for LNCaP cells while significantly altered for RWPE1 cells. O-linked glycosylated protein profiles were different between LNCaP and RWPE1 cells and varied in both cell lines with plasma incubation. Maximal respiration or glycolytic capacities was unchanged in LNCaP cells and impaired in RWPE1 cells following plasma incubation. However, the uptake rates of 2-NBD and DiD were insufficient for discrimination of LNCaP, or RWPE1 cells from PBMC. On the other hand, both RWPE1 and LNCaP cells exhibited intracellular lipid bodies following plasma incubation; whereas, PBMC did not. The presence of lipid bodies in LNCaP cells permitted retention of Bodipy dye and allowed discrimination of LNCaP cells from PBMC with flow cytometry.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite clear differences in energy metabolism, metastatic prostate cancer cells could not be efficiently distinguished from non-transformed prostate epithelial cells using fluorescent glucose or lipid uptake kinetics. However, metastatic prostate cancer cells in plasma could be clearly distinguished from blood nucleated cells due to the presence of intracellular lipid bodies. Fluorescent labeling of lipid bodies permitted a simple and sensitive means for high throughput detection of metastatic prostate cancer cells in human plasma.

High expression of TNFSF13 in tumor cells and fibroblasts is associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

To examine high expression of tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13 (TNFSF13), which is correlated with several malignancies.

METHODS

TNFSF13 messenger RNA expression in tumor cells and fibroblasts in a cohort of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray.

RESULTS

TNFSF13 expression was significantly higher in lung adenocarcinomas compared with squamous cell carcinomas (P = .022). High TNFSF13 expression in NSCLC stroma was related with low differentiation (P = .045) and sex (male > female, P = .005). Cox proportional hazards regression univariate and multivariable analysis revealed TNFSF13 expression in NSCLC tumor cells (P = .007) or fibroblasts (P = .027) as an independent prognostic factor in the 5-year overall survival rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate TNFSF13 is a prognostic factor in NSCLC and suggest TNFSF13 may be a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC.

A co-culture device with a tunable stiffness to understand combinatorial cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions

Cell behavior on 2-D in vitro cultures is continually being improved to better mimic in vivo physiological conditions by combining niche cues including multiple cell types and substrate stiffness, which are well known to impact cell phenotype. However, no system exists in which a user can systematically examine cell behavior on a substrate with a specific stiffness (elastic modulus) in culture with a different cell type, while maintaining distinct cell populations. We demonstrate the modification of a silicon reconfigurable co-culture system with a covalently linked hydrogel of user-defined stiffness. This device allows the user to control whether two separate cell populations are in contact with each other or only experience paracrine interactions on substrates of controllable stiffness. To illustrate the utility of this device, we examined the role of substrate stiffness combined with myoblast co-culture on adipose derived stem cell (ASC) differentiation and found that the presence of myoblasts and a 10 kPa substrate stiffness increased ASC myogenesis versus co-culture on stiff substrates. As this example highlights, this technology better controls the in vitro microenvironment, allowing the user to develop a more thorough understanding of the combined effects of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Nonlinear vibrational microscopy applied to lipid biology

Optical microscopy is an indispensable tool that is driving progress in cell biology. It still is the only practical means of obtaining spatial and temporal resolution within living cells and tissues. Most prominently, fluorescence microscopy based on dye-labeling or protein fusions with fluorescent tags is a highly sensitive and specific method of visualizing biomolecules within sub-cellular structures. It is however severely limited by labeling artifacts, photo-bleaching and cytotoxicity of the labels. Coherent Raman Scattering (CRS) has emerged in the last decade as a new multiphoton microscopy technique suited for imaging unlabeled living cells in real time with high three-dimensional spatial resolution and chemical specificity. This technique has proven to be particularly successful in imaging unstained lipids from artificial membrane model systems, to living cells and tissues to whole organisms. In this article, we will review the experimental implementations of CRS microscopy and their application to imaging lipids. We will cover the theoretical background of linear and non-linear vibrational micro-spectroscopy necessary for the understanding of CRS microscopy. The different experimental implementations of CRS will be compared in terms of sensitivity limits and excitation and detection methods. Finally, we will provide an overview of the applications of CRS microscopy to lipid biology.