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Morales-Guadarrama G, Méndez-Pérez EA, García-Quiroz J, Avila E, Ibarra-Sánchez MJ, Esparza-López J, García-Becerra R, Larrea F, Díaz L. The Inhibition of the FGFR/PI3K/Akt Axis by AZD4547 Disrupts the Proangiogenic Microenvironment and Vasculogenic Mimicry Arising from the Interplay between Endothelial and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13770. [PMID: 37762073 PMCID: PMC10531243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a process in which aggressive cancer cells form tube-like structures, plays a crucial role in providing nutrients and escape routes. Highly plastic tumor cells, such as those with the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) phenotype, can develop VM. However, little is known about the interplay between the cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and TNBC cells' VM capacity. In this study, we analyzed the ability of endothelial and stromal cells to induce VM when interacting with TNBC cells and analyzed the involvement of the FGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway in this process. VM was corroborated using fluorescently labeled TNBC cells. Only endothelial cells triggered VM formation, suggesting a predominant role of paracrine/juxtacrine factors from an endothelial origin in VM development. Via immunocytochemistry, qPCR, and secretome analyses, we determined an increased expression of proangiogenic factors as well as stemness markers in VM-forming cancer cells. Similarly, endothelial cells primed by TNBC cells showed an upregulation of proangiogenic molecules, including FGF, VEGFA, and several inflammatory cytokines. Endothelium-dependent TNBC-VM formation was prevented by AZD4547 or LY294002, strongly suggesting the involvement of the FGFR/PI3K/Akt axis in this process. Given that VM is associated with poor clinical prognosis, targeting FGFR/PI3K/Akt pharmacologically may hold promise for treating and preventing VM in TNBC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Morales-Guadarrama
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (G.M.-G.)
| | - Edgar A. Méndez-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (G.M.-G.)
| | - Janice García-Quiroz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (G.M.-G.)
| | - Euclides Avila
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (G.M.-G.)
| | - María J. Ibarra-Sánchez
- Unidad de Bioquímica Dr. Guillermo Soberón Acevedo, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - José Esparza-López
- Unidad de Bioquímica Dr. Guillermo Soberón Acevedo, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Rocío García-Becerra
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
- Programa de Investigación de Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando Larrea
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (G.M.-G.)
| | - Lorenza Díaz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico; (G.M.-G.)
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Nair L, Mukherjee S, Kaur K, Murphy CM, Ravichandiran V, Roy S, Singh M. Multi compartmental 3D breast cancer disease model–recapitulating tumor complexity in in-vitro. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130361. [PMID: 37019341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common ailment among women. In 2020, it had the highest incidence of any type of cancer. Many Phase II and III anti-cancer drugs fail due to efficacy, durability, and side effects. Thus, accelerated drug screening models must be accurate. In-vivo models have been used for a long time, but delays, inconsistent results, and a greater sense of responsibility among scientists toward wildlife have led to the search for in-vitro alternatives. Stromal components support breast cancer growth and survival. Multi-compartment Transwell models may be handy instruments. Co-culturing breast cancer cells with endothelium and fibroblasts improves modelling. The extracellular matrix (ECM) supports native 3D hydrogels in natural and polymeric forms. 3D Transwell cultured tumor spheroids mimicked in-vivo pathological conditions. Tumor invasion, migration, Trans-endothelial migration, angiogenesis, and spread are studied using comprehensive models. Transwell models can create a cancer niche and conduct high-throughput drug screening, promising future applications. Our comprehensive shows how 3D in-vitro multi compartmental models may be useful in producing breast cancer stroma in Transwell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assam Central University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India
| | - Souvik Mukherjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas University, Koni, Bilaspur,(C.G 495009, India
| | - Kulwinder Kaur
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin D02YN77, Ireland
| | - Ciara M Murphy
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin D02YN77, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin D02YN77, Ireland; Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), RCSI and TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054, India
| | - Subhadeep Roy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054, India.
| | - Manjari Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assam Central University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India.
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Kuhn E, Gambini D, Despini L, Asnaghi D, Runza L, Ferrero S. Updates on Lymphovascular Invasion in Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030968. [PMID: 36979946 PMCID: PMC10046167 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has represented one of the foremost pathological features of malignancy and has been associated with a worse prognosis in different cancers, including breast carcinoma. According to the most updated reporting protocols, the assessment of LVI is required in the pathology report of breast cancer surgical specimens. Importantly, strict histological criteria should be followed for LVI assessment, which nevertheless is encumbered by inconsistency in interpretation among pathologists, leading to significant interobserver variability and scarce reproducibility. Current guidelines for breast cancer indicate biological factors as the main determinants of oncological and radiation therapy, together with TNM staging and age. In clinical practice, the widespread use of genomic assays as a decision-making tool for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and the subsequent availability of a reliable prognostic predictor have likely scaled back interest in LVI's predictive value. However, in selected cases, the presence of LVI impacts adjuvant therapy. This review summarizes current knowledge on LVI in breast cancer with regard to definition, histopathological assessment, its biological understanding, clinicopathological association, and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Kuhn
- Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Gambini
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Despini
- Breast Surgery Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Asnaghi
- Radiotherapy Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Letterio Runza
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Laborda-Illanes A, Sánchez-Alcoholado L, Castellano-Castillo D, Boutriq S, Plaza-Andrades I, Aranega-Martín L, Peralta-Linero J, Alba E, González-González A, Queipo-Ortuño MI. Development of in vitro and in vivo tools to evaluate the antiangiogenic potential of melatonin to neutralize the angiogenic effects of VEGF and breast cancer cells: CAM assay and 3D endothelial cell spheroids. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:114041. [PMID: 36423543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a molecule with different antitumor actions in breast cancer and has been described as an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Despite the recognition of the key role exerted by VEGF in tumor angiogenesis, limitations arise when developing models to test new antiangiogenic molecules. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop rapid, economic, high capacity and easy handling angiogenesis assays to test the antiangiogenic effects of melatonin and demonstrate its most effective dose to neutralize and interfere with the angiogenic sprouting effect induced by VEGF and MCF-7. To perform this, 3D endothelial cell (HUVEC) spheroids and a chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay were used. The results showed that VEGF and MCF-7 were able to stimulate the sprouting of the new vessels in 3D endothelial spheroids and the CAM assay, and that melatonin had an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis. Specifically, as the 1 mM pharmacological dose was the only effective dose able to inhibit the formation of ramifications around the alginate in the CAM assay model, this inhibition was shown to occur in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these techniques represent novel tools for the development of antiangiogenic molecules such as melatonin, with possible implications for the therapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Laborda-Illanes
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Lidia Sánchez-Alcoholado
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Daniel Castellano-Castillo
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Soukaina Boutriq
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Isaac Plaza-Andrades
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Lucía Aranega-Martín
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Jesús Peralta-Linero
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Emilio Alba
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Department of Medicine and Pediatrics. Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
| | - Alicia González-González
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Department of Medicine and Pediatrics. Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, and Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain.
| | - María Isabel Queipo-Ortuño
- Intercenter Medical Oncology Clinical Management Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals, Málaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Department of Surgical Specialties, Biochemical and Immunology. Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
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The Differential Paracrine Role of the Endothelium in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194750. [PMID: 36230673 PMCID: PMC9563990 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A growing body of literature supports the concept that a tumor mass is under the strict control of the microvascular endothelium and that the perfusion of oxygen and nutrients by capillary vessels to the tumor mass is reinforced by potent paracrine activity from the vascular endothelial cells. In our study, we investigate the biological and molecular implications of the paracrine crosstalk between vascular endothelial cells and prostate cancer cells. Our results indicate that the endothelial cells were able to secrete molecular signals that promote the proliferation and growth of low and highly aggressive prostate cancer cells and selectively increased the migration, invasion and metastatic potential of highly aggressive prostate cancer cells. The molecular analyses indicated that endothelial cells induced a differential effect on gene expression profile when comparing low versus highly aggressive prostate cancer cells, causing an enrichment of epigenetic changes in migratory pathways in highly aggressive prostate cancer cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that endothelial cells release signals that favor tumor growth and aggressiveness and that this interaction may play an important role in the progression of prostate cancer. Abstract The survival of patients with solid tumors, such as prostate cancer (PCa), has been limited and fleeting with anti-angiogenic therapies. It was previously thought that the mechanism by which the vasculature regulates tumor growth was driven by a passive movement of oxygen and nutrients to the tumor tissue. However, previous evidence suggests that endothelial cells have an alternative role in changing the behavior of tumor cells and contributing to cancer progression. Determining the impact of molecular signals/growth factors released by endothelial cells (ECs) on established PCa cell lines in vitro and in vivo could help to explain the mechanism by which ECs regulate tumor growth. Using cell-conditioned media collected from HUVEC (HUVEC-CM), our data show the stimulated proliferation of all the PCa cell lines tested. However, in more aggressive PCa cell lines, HUVEC-CM selectively promoted migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Using a PCa-cell-line-derived xenograft model co-injected with HUVEC or preincubated with HUVEC-CM, our results are consistent with the in vitro data, showing enhanced tumor growth, increased tumor microvasculature and promoted metastasis. Gene set enrichment analyses from RNA-Seq gene expression profiles showed that HUVEC-CM induced a differential effect on gene expression when comparing low versus highly aggressive PCa cell lines, demonstrating epigenetic and migratory pathway enrichments in highly aggressive PCa cells. In summary, paracrine stimulation by HUVEC increased PCa cell proliferation and tumor growth and selectively promoted migration and metastatic potential in more aggressive PCa cell lines.
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Stromal Co-Cultivation for Modeling Breast Cancer Dormancy in the Bone Marrow. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143344. [PMID: 35884405 PMCID: PMC9320268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143344] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers metastasize to the bone marrow before primary tumors can be detected. Bone marrow micrometastases are resistant to therapy, and while they are able to remain dormant for decades, they recur steadily and result in incurable metastatic disease. The bone marrow microenvironment maintains the dormancy and chemoresistance of micrometastases through interactions with multiple cell types and through structural and soluble factors. Modeling dormancy in vitro can identify the mechanisms of these interactions. Modeling also identifies mechanisms able to disrupt these interactions or define novel interactions that promote the reawakening of dormant cells. The in vitro modeling of the interactions of cancer cells with various bone marrow elements can generate hypotheses on the mechanisms that control dormancy, treatment resistance and reawakening in vivo. These hypotheses can guide in vivo murine experiments that have high probabilities of succeeding in order to verify in vitro findings while minimizing the use of animals in experiments. This review outlines the existing data on predominant stromal cell types and their use in 2D co-cultures with cancer cells.
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Discovering the Triad between Nav1.5, Breast Cancer, and the Immune System: A Fundamental Review and Future Perspectives. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020310. [PMID: 35204811 PMCID: PMC8869595 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nav1.5 is one of the nine voltage-gated sodium channel-alpha subunit (VGSC-α) family members. The Nav1.5 channel typically carries an inward sodium ion current that depolarises the membrane potential during the upstroke of the cardiac action potential. The neonatal isoform of Nav1.5, nNav1.5, is produced via VGSC-α alternative splicing. nNav1.5 is known to potentiate breast cancer metastasis. Despite their well-known biological functions, the immunological perspectives of these channels are poorly explored. The current review has attempted to summarise the triad between Nav1.5 (nNav1.5), breast cancer, and the immune system. To date, there is no such review available that encompasses these three components as most reviews focus on the molecular and pharmacological prospects of Nav1.5. This review is divided into three major subsections: (1) the review highlights the roles of Nav1.5 and nNav1.5 in potentiating the progression of breast cancer, (2) focuses on the general connection between breast cancer and the immune system, and finally (3) the review emphasises the involvements of Nav1.5 and nNav1.5 in the functionality of the immune system and the immunogenicity. Compared to the other subsections, section three is pretty unexploited; it would be interesting to study this subsection as it completes the triad.
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Corchado-Cobos R, García-Sancha N, Mendiburu-Eliçabe M, Gómez-Vecino A, Jiménez-Navas A, Pérez-Baena MJ, Holgado-Madruga M, Mao JH, Cañueto J, Castillo-Lluva S, Pérez-Losada J. Pathophysiological Integration of Metabolic Reprogramming in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020322. [PMID: 35053485 PMCID: PMC8773662 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumors exhibit metabolic changes that differentiate them from the normal tissues from which they derive. These metabolic changes favor tumor growth, are primarily induced by cancer cells, and produce metabolic and functional changes in the surrounding stromal cells. There is a close functional connection between the metabolic changes in tumor cells and those that appear in the surrounding stroma. A better understanding of intratumoral metabolic interactions may help identify new vulnerabilities that will facilitate new, more individualized treatment strategies against cancer. We review the metabolic changes described in tumor and stromal cells and their functional changes and then consider, in depth, the metabolic interactions between the cells of the two compartments. Although these changes are generic, we illustrate them mainly with reference to examples in breast cancer. Abstract Metabolic changes that facilitate tumor growth are one of the hallmarks of cancer. The triggers of these metabolic changes are located in the tumor parenchymal cells, where oncogenic mutations induce an imperative need to proliferate and cause tumor initiation and progression. Cancer cells undergo significant metabolic reorganization during disease progression that is tailored to their energy demands and fluctuating environmental conditions. Oxidative stress plays an essential role as a trigger under such conditions. These metabolic changes are the consequence of the interaction between tumor cells and stromal myofibroblasts. The metabolic changes in tumor cells include protein anabolism and the synthesis of cell membranes and nucleic acids, which all facilitate cell proliferation. They are linked to catabolism and autophagy in stromal myofibroblasts, causing the release of nutrients for the cells of the tumor parenchyma. Metabolic changes lead to an interstitium deficient in nutrients, such as glucose and amino acids, and acidification by lactic acid. Together with hypoxia, they produce functional changes in other cells of the tumor stroma, such as many immune subpopulations and endothelial cells, which lead to tumor growth. Thus, immune cells favor tissue growth through changes in immunosuppression. This review considers some of the metabolic changes described in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Corchado-Cobos
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Natalia García-Sancha
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Marina Mendiburu-Eliçabe
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Aurora Gómez-Vecino
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Alejandro Jiménez-Navas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Manuel Jesús Pérez-Baena
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Marina Holgado-Madruga
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
- Berkeley Biomedical Data Science Center, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Javier Cañueto
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sonia Castillo-Lluva
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.C.-L.); (J.P-L.)
| | - Jesús Pérez-Losada
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Correspondence: (S.C.-L.); (J.P-L.)
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Structural Biology of the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1350:91-100. [PMID: 34888845 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-83282-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancers can be described as "rogue organs" (Balkwill FR, Capasso M, Hagemann T, J Cell Sci 125:5591-5596, 2012) because they are composed of multiple cell types and tissues. The transformed cells can recruit and alter healthy cells from surrounding tissues for their own benefit. It is these interactions that create the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME describes the cells, factors, and extracellular matrix proteins that make up the tumor and the area around it; the biology of the TME influences tumor progression. Changes in the TME can lead to the growth and development of the tumor, the death of the tumor, or tumor metastasis. Metastasis is the process by which cancer spreads from its initial site to a different part of the body. Metastasis occurs when cancer cells enter the circulatory system or lymphatic system after they break away from a tumor. Once the cells leave, they can travel to a different part of the body and form new tumors. Therefore, understanding the TME is critical to fully understand cancer and find a way to successfully combat it. Knowledge of the TME can better inform researchers of the ability of potential therapies to reach tumor cells. It can also give researchers potential targets to kill the tumor. Instead of directly killing the cancer cells, therapies can target an aspect of the TME which could then halt tumor development or lead to tumor death. In other cases, targeting another aspect of the TME could make it easier for another therapy to kill the cancer cells, for example, using nanoparticles with collagenases to target the collagen in the surrounding environment to expose the cancer cells to drugs (Zinger A, et al, ACS Nano 13(10):11008-11021, 2019).The TME can be split simply into cells and the structural matrix. Within these groups are fibroblasts, structural proteins, immune cells, lymphocytes, bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells, blood vessels, and signaling molecules (Spill F, et al, Curr Opin Biotechnol 40:41-48, 2016; Del Prete A, et al, Curr Opin Pharmacol 35:40-47, 2017; Arneth B, Medicina (Kaunas) 56(1), 2019). From structure to providing nutrients for growth, each of these components plays a critical role in tumor maintenance. Together these components impact cancer growth, development, and resistance to therapies (Hanahan D, Coussens LM, Cancer Cell 21:309-322, 2012). In this chapter, we will describe the TME and express the importance of the cellular and structural elements of the TME.
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Li JJ, Tsang JY, Tse GM. Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer-Updates on Therapeutic Implications and Pathologic Assessment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164233. [PMID: 34439387 PMCID: PMC8394502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancer comprises local factors, cancer cells, immune cells and stromal cells of the local and distant tissues. The interaction between cancer cells and their microenvironment plays important roles in tumor proliferation, propagation and response to therapies. There is increasing research in exploring and manipulating the non-cancerous components of the TME for breast cancer treatment. As the TME is now increasingly recognized as a treatment target, its pathologic assessment has become a critical component of breast cancer management. The latest WHO classification of tumors of the breast listed stromal response pattern/fibrotic focus as a prognostic factor and includes recommendations on the assessment of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-1/PD-L1 expression, with therapeutic implications. This review dissects the TME of breast cancer, describes pathologic assessment relevant for prognostication and treatment decision, and details therapeutic options that interacts with and/or exploits the TME in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gary M. Tse
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 852-3505-2359; Fax: 852-2637-4858
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11
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González A, Alonso-González C, González-González A, Menéndez-Menéndez J, Cos S, Martínez-Campa C. Melatonin as an Adjuvant to Antiangiogenic Cancer Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133263. [PMID: 34209857 PMCID: PMC8268559 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a hormone with different functions, antitumor actions being one of the most studied. Among its antitumor mechanisms is its ability to inhibit angiogenesis. Melatonin shows antiangiogenic effects in several types of tumors. Combination of melatonin and chemotherapeutic agents have a synergistic effect inhibiting angiogenesis. One of the undesirable effects of chemotherapy is the induction of pro-angiogenic factors, whilst the addition of melatonin is able to overcome these undesirable effects. This protective effect of the pineal hormone against angiogenesis might be one of the mechanisms underlying its anticancer effect, explaining, at least in part, why melatonin administration increases the sensitivity of tumors to the inhibitory effects exerted by ordinary chemotherapeutic agents. Melatonin has the ability to turn cancer totally resistant to chemotherapeutic agents into a more sensitive chemotherapy state. Definitely, melatonin regulates the expression and/or activity of many factors involved in angiogenesis which levels are affected (either positively or negatively) by chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, the pineal hormone has been proposed as a radiosensitizer, increasing the oncostatic effects of radiation on tumor cells. This review serves as a synopsis of the interaction between melatonin and angiogenesis, and we will outline some antiangiogenic mechanisms through which melatonin sensitizes cancer cells to treatments, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
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12
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Soheilifar MH, Masoudi-Khoram N, Madadi S, Nobari S, Maadi H, Keshmiri Neghab H, Amini R, Pishnamazi M. Angioregulatory microRNAs in breast cancer: Molecular mechanistic basis and implications for therapeutic strategies. J Adv Res 2021; 37:235-253. [PMID: 35499045 PMCID: PMC9039675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated angiogenesis is a fundamental process in tumor growth and metastasis. Angioregulatory miRNA–target gene interaction is not only involved in sprouting vessels of breast tumors but also, trans-differentiation of breast cancer cells to endothelial cells in a process termed vasculogenic mimicry. Successful targeting of tumor angiogenesis is still a missing link in the treatment of Breast cancer (BC) due to the low effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapies in this cancer. Response to anti-angiogenic therapeutics are controlled by a miRNAs, so the identification of interaction networks of miRNAs–targets can be applicable in determining anti-angiogeneic therapy and new biomarkers in BC. Angioregulatory miRNAs in breast cancer cells and their microenvironment have therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.
Background Cancer-associated angiogenesis is a fundamental process in tumor growth and metastasis. A variety of signaling regulators and pathways contribute to establish neovascularization, among them as small endogenous non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) play prominent dual regulatory function in breast cancer (BC) angiogenesis. Aim of Review This review aims at describing the current state-of-the-art in BC angiogenesis-mediated by angioregulatory miRNAs, and an overview of miRNAs dysregulation association with the anti-angiogenic response in addition to potential clinical application of miRNAs-based therapeutics. Key Scientific Concepts of Review Angioregulatory miRNA–target gene interaction is not only involved in sprouting vessels of breast tumors but also, trans-differentiation of BC cells to endothelial cells (ECs) in a process termed vasculogenic mimicry. Using canonical and non-canonical angiogenesis pathways, the tumor cell employs the oncogenic characteristics such as miRNAs dysregulation to increase survival, proliferation, oxygen and nutrient supply, and treatment resistance. Angioregulatory miRNAs in BC cells and their microenvironment have therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. Although, miRNAs dysregulation can serve as tumor biomarker nevertheless, due to the association of miRNAs dysregulation with anti-angiogenic resistant phenotype, clinical benefits of anti-angiogenic therapy might be challenging in BC. Hence, unveiling the molecular mechanism underlying angioregulatory miRNAs sparked a booming interest in finding new treatment strategies such as miRNA-based therapies in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar
- Department of Medical Laser, Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Corresponding authorsat: Yara Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Enghelab St, Tehran 1315795613, Iran (Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar). University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland (Mahboubeh Pishnamazi).
| | - Nastaran Masoudi-Khoram
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheil Madadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sima Nobari
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hamid Maadi
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hoda Keshmiri Neghab
- Department of Photo Healing and Regeneration, Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Amini
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Pishnamazi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Corresponding authorsat: Yara Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Enghelab St, Tehran 1315795613, Iran (Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar). University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland (Mahboubeh Pishnamazi).
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13
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Teixeira FC, Chaves S, Torres AL, Barrias CC, Bidarra SJ. Engineering a Vascularized 3D Hybrid System to Model Tumor-Stroma Interactions in Breast Cancer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:647031. [PMID: 33791288 PMCID: PMC8006407 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.647031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The stromal microenvironment of breast tumors, namely the vasculature, has a key role in tumor development and metastatic spread. Tumor angiogenesis is a coordinated process, requiring the cooperation of cancer cells, stromal cells, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells, secreted factors and the extracellular matrix (ECM). In vitro models capable of capturing such complex environment are still scarce, but are pivotal to improve success rates in drug development and screening. To address this challenge, we developed a hybrid alginate-based 3D system, combining hydrogel-embedded mammary epithelial cells (parenchymal compartment) with a porous scaffold co-seeded with fibroblasts and endothelial cells (vascularized stromal compartment). For the stromal compartment, we used porous alginate scaffolds produced by freeze-drying with particle leaching, a simple, low-cost and non-toxic approach that provided storable ready-to-use scaffolds fitting the wells of standard 96-well plates. Co-seeded endothelial cells and fibroblasts were able to adhere to the surface, spread and organize into tubular-like structures. For the parenchymal compartment, a designed alginate gel precursor solution load with mammary epithelial cells was added to the pores of pre-vascularized scaffolds, forming a hydrogel in situ by ionic crosslinking. The 3D hybrid system supports epithelial morphogenesis in organoids/tumoroids and endothelial tubulogenesis, allowing heterotypic cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, while presenting excellent experimental tractability for whole-mount confocal microscopy, histology and mild cell recovery for down-stream analysis. It thus provides a unique 3D in vitro platform to dissect epithelial-stromal interactions and tumor angiogenesis, which may assist in the development of selective and more effective anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa C Teixeira
- i3S - Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Chaves
- i3S - Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Torres
- i3S - Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina C Barrias
- i3S - Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia J Bidarra
- i3S - Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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14
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Swaminathan S, Clyne AM. Direct Bioprinting of 3D Multicellular Breast Spheroids onto Endothelial Networks. J Vis Exp 2020:10.3791/61791. [PMID: 33191938 PMCID: PMC7737489 DOI: 10.3791/61791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioprinting is emerging as a promising tool to fabricate 3D human cancer models that better recapitulate critical hallmarks of in vivo tissue architecture. In current layer-by-layer extrusion bioprinting, individual cells are extruded in a bioink together with complex spatial and temporal cues to promote hierarchical tissue self-assembly. However, this biofabrication technique relies on complex interactions among cells, bioinks and biochemical and biophysical cues. Thus, self-assembly may take days or even weeks, may require specific bioinks, and may not always occur when there is more than one cell type involved. We therefore developed a technique to directly bioprint pre-formed 3D breast epithelial spheroids in a variety of bioinks. Bioprinted pre-formed 3D breast epithelial spheroids sustained their viability and polarized architecture after printing. We additionally printed the 3D spheroids onto vascular endothelial cell networks to create a co-culture model. Thus, the novel bioprinting technique rapidly creates a more physiologically relevant 3D human breast model at lower cost and with higher flexibility than traditional bioprinting techniques. This versatile bioprinting technique can be extrapolated to create 3D models of other tissues in additional bioinks.
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15
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Gadde M, Phillips C, Ghousifam N, Sorace AG, Wong E, Krishnamurthy S, Syed A, Rahal O, Yankeelov TE, Woodward WA, Rylander MN. In vitro vascularized tumor platform for modeling tumor-vasculature interactions of inflammatory breast cancer. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:3572-3590. [PMID: 32648934 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare form of breast cancer associated with increased angiogenesis and metastasis, is largely driven by tumor-stromal interactions with the vasculature and the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, there is currently a lack of understanding of the role these interactions play in initiation and progression of the disease. In this study, we developed the first three-dimensional, in vitro, vascularized, microfluidic IBC platform to quantify the spatial and temporal dynamics of tumor-vasculature and tumor-ECM interactions specific to IBC. Platforms consisting of collagen type 1 ECM with an endothelialized blood vessel were cultured with IBC cells, MDA-IBC3 (HER2+) or SUM149 (triple negative), and for comparison to non-IBC cells, MDA-MB-231 (triple negative). Acellular collagen platforms with endothelialized blood vessels served as controls. SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 platforms exhibited a significantly (p < .05) higher vessel permeability and decreased endothelial coverage of the vessel lumen compared to the control. Both IBC platforms, MDA-IBC3 and SUM149, expressed higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (p < .05) and increased collagen ECM porosity compared to non-IBCMDA-MB-231 (p < .05) and control (p < .01) platforms. Additionally, unique to the MDA-IBC3 platform, we observed progressive sprouting of the endothelium over time resulting in viable vessels with lumen. The newly sprouted vessels encircled clusters of MDA-IBC3 cells replicating a key feature of in vivo IBC. The IBC in vitro vascularized platforms introduced in this study model well-described in vivo and clinical IBC phenotypes and provide an adaptable, high throughput tool for systematically and quantitatively investigating tumor-stromal mechanisms and dynamics of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Gadde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Caleb Phillips
- Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Neda Ghousifam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Anna G Sorace
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Enoch Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Savitri Krishnamurthy
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Anum Syed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Omar Rahal
- M.D. Anderson Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Thomas E Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Oncology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Livestrong Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Wendy A Woodward
- M.D. Anderson Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Marissa N Rylander
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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Li Y, Chen Z, Wu L, Ye J, Tao W. Cellular heterogeneity map of diverse immune and stromal phenotypes within breast tumor microenvironment. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9478. [PMID: 32728493 PMCID: PMC7357563 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cellular heterogeneity within the tumor microenvironment is essential to tumorigenesis and tumor development. A high-resolution global view of the tumor-infiltrating immune and stromal cells in breast tumors is needed. Methods xCell was used to create a cellular heterogeneity map of 64 cell types in 1,092 breast tumor and adjacent normal tissues. xCell digitally dissects tissue cellular heterogeneity based on gene expression. Integrated statistical analyses were then performed. Results There were noticeable differences between the cell fractions in tumor tissues and normal tissues. Tumors displayed higher proportions of immune cells, including CD4+ Tem, CD8+ naïve T cells, and CD8+ Tcm compared with normal tissues. Immune inhibitory receptors (PD1, CTLA4, LAG3 and TIM3) were co-expressed on certain subtypes of T cells in breast tumors, and PD1 and CTLA4 were both positively correlated with CD8+ Tcm and CD8+ T cells. 28 cell types were significantly associated with overall survival in univariate analysis. CD4+ Tem, CD8+ Tcm, CD8+ T-cells, CD8+ naive T-cells, and B cells were positive prognostic factors but CD4+ naive T-cells were negative prognostic factors for breast cancer patients. TDRD6 and TTK are promising T cell and B cell targets for tumor vaccines. Endothelial cells and fibroblasts were significantly less prevalent in tumor tissues; astrocytes and mesangial cells were negatively correlated with the T stage. Mesangial cells and keratinocytes were found to be favorable prognostic factors and myocytes were negative prognostic factors. Five cell types were found to be independent prognostic factors and we used these to create a reliable prognostic model for breast cancer patients. Cellular heterogeneity was discovered among different breast cancer subtypes by Her2, ER, and PR status. Tri-negative patients had the highest fraction of immune cells while luminal type patients had the lowest. The various cells may have diverse or opposing roles in the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Conclusions We created a uniquecellular map for the diverse heterogeneity of immune and stromal phenotypes within the breast tumor microenvironment. This map may lead to potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers with prognostic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zuhua Chen
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Wu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Ye
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiping Tao
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Nguyen M, De Ninno A, Mencattini A, Mermet-Meillon F, Fornabaio G, Evans SS, Cossutta M, Khira Y, Han W, Sirven P, Pelon F, Di Giuseppe D, Bertani FR, Gerardino A, Yamada A, Descroix S, Soumelis V, Mechta-Grigoriou F, Zalcman G, Camonis J, Martinelli E, Businaro L, Parrini MC. Dissecting Effects of Anti-cancer Drugs and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts by On-Chip Reconstitution of Immunocompetent Tumor Microenvironments. Cell Rep 2019; 25:3884-3893.e3. [PMID: 30590056 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in cancer research is the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, which includes the host immunological setting. Inspired by the emerging technology of organ-on-chip, we achieved 3D co-cultures in microfluidic devices (integrating four cell populations: cancer, immune, endothelial, and fibroblasts) to reconstitute ex vivo a human tumor ecosystem (HER2+ breast cancer). We visualized and quantified the complex dynamics of this tumor-on-chip, in the absence or in the presence of the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin), a targeted antibody therapy directed against the HER2 receptor. We uncovered the capacity of the drug trastuzumab to specifically promote long cancer-immune interactions (>50 min), recapitulating an anti-tumoral ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) immune response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) antagonized the effects of trastuzumab. These observations constitute a proof of concept that tumors-on-chip are powerful platforms to study ex vivo immunocompetent tumor microenvironments, to characterize ecosystem-level drug responses, and to dissect the roles of stromal components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Nguyen
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Adele De Ninno
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnology, Italian National Research Council, 00156 Rome, Italy; Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Mencattini
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fanny Mermet-Meillon
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Giulia Fornabaio
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sophia S Evans
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Mélissande Cossutta
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Yasmine Khira
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Weijing Han
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Philémon Sirven
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; Immunity and Cancer, INSERM U932, INSERM Center of Clinical Investigations, CIC IGR Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Floriane Pelon
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; Stress and Cancer Team, labelized by Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Davide Di Giuseppe
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Bertani
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnology, Italian National Research Council, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Gerardino
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnology, Italian National Research Council, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Ayako Yamada
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, CNRS UMR168, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Descroix
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, CNRS UMR168, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Vassili Soumelis
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; Immunity and Cancer, INSERM U932, INSERM Center of Clinical Investigations, CIC IGR Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; Stress and Cancer Team, labelized by Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Gérard Zalcman
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique (CIC) 1425, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Camonis
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Eugenio Martinelli
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Businaro
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnology, Italian National Research Council, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Parrini
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France; ART Group, INSERM U830, 75005 Paris, France.
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Devadas D, Moore TA, Walji N, Young EWK. A microfluidic mammary gland coculture model using parallel 3D lumens for studying epithelial-endothelial migration in breast cancer. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:064122. [PMID: 31832120 PMCID: PMC6894982 DOI: 10.1063/1.5123912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In breast cancer development, crosstalk between mammary epithelial cells and neighboring vascular endothelial cells is critical to understanding tumor progression and metastasis, but the mechanisms of this dynamic interplay are not fully understood. Current cell culture platforms do not accurately recapitulate the 3D luminal architecture of mammary gland elements. Here, we present the development of an accessible and scalable microfluidic coculture system that incorporates two parallel 3D luminal structures that mimic vascular endothelial and mammary epithelial cell layers, respectively. This parallel 3D lumen configuration allows investigation of endothelial-epithelial crosstalk and its effects of the comigration of endothelial and epithelial cells into microscale migration ports located between the parallel lumens. We describe the development and application of our platform, demonstrate generation of 3D luminal cell layers for endothelial cells and three different breast cancer cell lines, and quantify their migration profiles based on number of migrated cells, area coverage by migrated cells, and distance traveled by individual migrating cells into the migration ports. Our system enables analysis at the single-cell level, allows simultaneous monitoring of endothelial and epithelial cell migration within a 3D extracellular matrix, and has potential for applications in basic research on cellular crosstalk as well as drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Devadas
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Thomas A. Moore
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | | | - Edmond W. K. Young
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: +1 (416) 978-1521
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Dias AS, Almeida CR, Helguero LA, Duarte IF. Metabolic crosstalk in the breast cancer microenvironment. Eur J Cancer 2019; 121:154-171. [PMID: 31581056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
During tumorigenesis, breast tumour cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, which generally includes enhanced glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, glutaminolysis and fatty acid biosynthesis. However, the extension and functional importance of these metabolic alterations may diverge not only according to breast cancer subtypes, but also depending on the interaction of cancer cells with the complex surrounding microenvironment. This microenvironment comprises a variety of non-cancerous cells, such as immune cells (e.g. macrophages, lymphocytes, natural killer cells), fibroblasts, adipocytes and endothelial cells, together with extracellular matrix components and soluble factors, which influence cancer progression and are predictive of clinical outcome. The continuous interaction between cancer and stromal cells results in metabolic competition and symbiosis, with oncogenic-driven metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells shaping the metabolism of neighbouring cells and vice versa. This review addresses current knowledge on this metabolic crosstalk within the breast tumour microenvironment (TME). Improved understanding of how metabolism in the TME modulates cancer development and evasion of tumour-suppressive mechanisms may provide clues for novel anticancer therapeutics directed to metabolic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana S Dias
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal; iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Catarina R Almeida
- iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luisa A Helguero
- iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Iola F Duarte
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Parmar MB, K C RB, Löbenberg R, Uludağ H. Additive Polyplexes to Undertake siRNA Therapy against CDC20 and Survivin in Breast Cancer Cells. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:4193-4206. [PMID: 30222931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivered to silence overexpressed genes associated with malignancies is a promising targeted therapy to decrease the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells. To create potent delivery agents for siRNA, here we formulated additive polyplexes of siRNA using linoleic acid-substituted polyethylenimine and additive polymers (hyaluronic acid, poly(acrylic acid), dextran sulfate, and methyl cellulose) and characterized their physicochemical properties and effectiveness. Incorporating polyanionic polymer along with anionic siRNA in polyplexes was found to decrease the ζ-potential of polyplexes but enhance the cellular delivery of siRNA. The CDC20 and survivin siRNAs delivered by additive polyplexes showed promising efficacy in breast cancer MDA-MB-231, SUM149PT, MDA-MB-436, and MCF7 cells. However, the side effects of the siRNA delivery were observed in nonmalignant cells, and a careful formulation of siRNA/polymer polyplexes was needed to minimize side effects on normal cells. Because the efficacy of siRNA delivery by additive polyplexes was independent of breast cancer phenotypes used in this study, these polyplexes could be further developed to treat a wide range of breast cancers.
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Moritz MNDO, Eustáquio LMS, Micocci KC, Nunes ACC, Dos Santos PK, de Castro Vieira T, Selistre-de-Araujo HS. Alternagin-C binding to α 2β 1 integrin controls matrix metalloprotease-9 and matrix metalloprotease-2 in breast tumor cells and endothelial cells. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2018; 24:13. [PMID: 29713337 PMCID: PMC5917863 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-018-0150-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key players in tumor progression, helping tumor cells to modify their microenvironment, which allows cell migration to secondary sites. The role of integrins, adhesion receptors that connect cells to the extracellular matrix, in MMP expression and activity has been previously suggested. However, the mechanisms by which integrins control MMP expression are not completely understood. Particularly, the role of α2β1 integrin, one of the major collagen I receptors, in MMP activity and expression has not been studied. Alternagin-C (ALT-C), a glutamate-cysteine-aspartate-disintegrin from Bothrops alternatus venom, has high affinity for an α2β1 integrin. Herein, we used ALT-C as a α2β1 integrin ligand to study the effect of ALT-C on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression as well as on tumor cells, fibroblats and endothelial cell migration. Methods ALT-C was purified by two steps of gel filtration followed by anion exchange chromatography. The α2β1 integrin binding properties of ALT-C, its dissociation constant (Kd) relative to this integrin and to collagen I (Col I) were determined by surface plasmon resonance. The effects of ALT-C (10, 40, 100 and 1000 nM) in migration assays were studied using three human cell lines: human fibroblasts, breast tumor cell line MDA-MB-231, and microvascular endothelial cells HMEC-1, considering cells found in the tumor microenvironment. ALT-C effects on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression and activity were analyzed by quantitative PCR and gelatin zymography, respectively. Focal adhesion kinase activation was determined by western blotting. Results Our data demonstrate that ALT-C, after binding to α2β1 integrin, acts by two distinct mechanisms against tumor progression, depending on the cell type: in tumor cells, ALT-C decreases MMP-9 and MMP-2 contents and activity, but increases focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and transmigration; and in endothelial cells, ALT-C inhibits MMP-2, which is necessary for tumor angiogenesis. ALT-C also upregulates c-Myc mRNA level, which is related to tumor suppression. Conclusion These results demonstrate that α2β1 integrin controls MMP expression and reveal this integrin as a target for the development of antiangiogenic and antimetastatic therapies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40409-018-0150-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lívia Mara Santos Eustáquio
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP 13565-905 Brazil
| | - Kelli Cristina Micocci
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP 13565-905 Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Caetano Nunes
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP 13565-905 Brazil
| | - Patty Karina Dos Santos
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP 13565-905 Brazil
| | - Tamires de Castro Vieira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP 13565-905 Brazil
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Abstract
Tumor endothelial cells (TEC) play an indispensible role in tumor growth and metastasis although much of the detailed mechanism still remains elusive. In this study we characterized and compared the global gene expression profiles of TECs and control ECs isolated from human breast cancerous tissues and reduction mammoplasty tissues respectively by single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Based on the qualified scRNA-seq libraries that we made, we found that 1302 genes were differentially expressed between these two EC phenotypes. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and heat map-based hierarchical clustering separated the cancerous versus control ECs as two distinctive clusters, and MetaCore disease biomarker analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes are highly correlated with breast neoplasm diseases. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software (GSEA) enriched these genes to extracellular matrix (ECM) signal pathways and highlighted 127 ECM-associated genes. External validation verified some of these ECM-associated genes are not only generally overexpressed in various cancer tissues but also specifically overexpressed in colorectal cancer ECs and lymphoma ECs. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that ECM-associated genes play pivotal roles in breast cancer EC biology and some of them could serve as potential TEC biomarkers for various cancers.
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Swaminathan S, Ngo O, Basehore S, Clyne AM. Vascular Endothelial-Breast Epithelial Cell Coculture Model Created from 3D Cell Structures. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3:2999-3006. [PMID: 33418720 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cell interactions with normal and cancerous breast epithelial cells have been widely studied in tissue growth and development, as well as in angiogenesis and metastasis. Despite the understanding that 3D multicellular architecture is critical to the cell phenotype, 3D vascular structures have not yet been cocultured with 3D breast spheroids in vitro. The objective of this study was therefore to create a hierarchical, multiscale model of vascular endothelial-breast epithelial cell interactions in which both cell types were assembled into their 3D architectures. The model was successfully fabricated by adding preformed breast spheroids onto preformed endothelial tube-like networks. Through this model, we observed that breast spheroids maintain vascular tube-like networks. Over time, breast epithelial cells migrate out of the spheroid structure along the endothelial networks. This research shows that 3D cell structures serve as an important building block for creating multicellular coculture models to study physiologically relevant cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathi Swaminathan
- Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Olivia Ngo
- Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Sarah Basehore
- Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alisa Morss Clyne
- Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Bray LJ, Werner C. Evaluation of Three-Dimensional in Vitro Models to Study Tumor Angiogenesis. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 4:337-346. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Bray
- Institute
of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove 4059 Queensland Australia
- Mater
Research Institute - University of Queensland (MRI-UQ), Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba 4102, QLD Australia
| | - Carsten Werner
- Leibniz
Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Saxony, Germany
- Center
for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Saxony, Germany
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26
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Exploring the Potential of Nanotherapeutics in Targeting Tumor Microenvironment for Cancer Therapy. Pharmacol Res 2017; 126:109-122. [PMID: 28511988 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Advanced research in the field of cancer biology clearly demonstrated the key role of tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer development and metastasis particularly in solid tumors. Components of TME, being non-neoplastic in nature provide supportive and permissive conditions for the growth of cancer cells. Hence it is important to modify TME in cancer therapy and this would be achieved by better understanding of TME morphological features and functioning of stromal components. Nanotechnology based drug delivery offers various advantages such as prolonged circulation time, delivery of cargo at desired site, improved bioavailability, reduced toxicity etc. over conventional chemotherapeutics. Abnormal characteristic features of TME play a paradoxical role in nanoparticulate drug delivery. Leaky vasculature, acidic and hypoxic conditions of TME helps in the accumulation of tailored nanoparticles whereas high interstitial pressure and dense stroma restrict the extravasation, homogenous distribution of nanocarriers in TME. This review mainly discusses the potential of nanotherapeutics in targeting TME by briefly discussing stromal components, therapeutic opportunities and barriers offered by TME for nanoparticulate drug delivery. Updated information on TME remodeling strategies for improved drug delivery and specific targeting of individual stromal components are also outlined.
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27
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Rijal G, Li W. 3D scaffolds in breast cancer research. Biomaterials 2016; 81:135-156. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Flamini V, Jiang WG, Lane J, Cui YX. Significance and therapeutic implications of endothelial progenitor cells in angiogenic-mediated tumour metastasis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2016; 100:177-89. [PMID: 26917455 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer conveys profound social and economic consequences throughout the world. Metastasis is responsible for approximately 90% of cancer-associated mortality and, when it occurs, cancer becomes almost incurable. During metastatic dissemination, cancer cells pass through a series of complex steps including the establishment of tumour-associated angiogenesis. The human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) are a cell population derived from the bone marrow which are required for endothelial tubulogenesis and neovascularization. They also express abundant inflammatory cytokines and paracrine angiogenic factors. Clinically hEPCs are highly correlated with relapse, disease progression, metastasis and treatment response in malignancies such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and non-small-cell lung carcinoma. It has become evident that the hEPCs are involved in the angiogenesis-required progression and metastasis of tumours. However, it is not clear in what way the signalling pathways, controlling the normal cellular function of human BM-derived EPCs, are hijacked by aggressive tumour cells to facilitate tumour metastasis. In addition, the actual roles of hEPCs in tumour angiogenesis-mediated metastasis are not well characterised. In this paper we reviewed the clinical relevance of the hEPCs with cancer diagnosis, progression and prognosis. We further summarised the effects of tumour microenvironment on the hEPCs and underlying mechanisms. We also hypothesized the roles of altered hEPCs in tumour angiogenesis and metastasis. We hope this review may enhance our understanding of the interaction between hEPCs and tumour cells thus aiding the development of cellular-targeted anti-tumour therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Flamini
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Wen G Jiang
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Jane Lane
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Yu-Xin Cui
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK.
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29
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Sharma SH, Thulasingam S, Nagarajan S. Chemopreventive agents targeting tumor microenvironment. Life Sci 2016; 145:74-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Buchanan CF, Verbridge SS, Vlachos PP, Rylander MN. Flow shear stress regulates endothelial barrier function and expression of angiogenic factors in a 3D microfluidic tumor vascular model. Cell Adh Migr 2015; 8:517-24. [PMID: 25482628 DOI: 10.4161/19336918.2014.970001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells lining blood vessels are exposed to various hemodynamic forces associated with blood flow. These include fluid shear, the tangential force derived from the friction of blood flowing across the luminal cell surface, tensile stress due to deformation of the vessel wall by transvascular flow, and normal stress caused by the hydrodynamic pressure differential across the vessel wall. While it is well known that these fluid forces induce changes in endothelial morphology, cytoskeletal remodeling, and altered gene expression, the effect of flow on endothelial organization within the context of the tumor microenvironment is largely unknown. Using a previously established microfluidic tumor vascular model, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of normal (4 dyn/cm(2)), low (1 dyn/cm(2)), and high (10 dyn/cm(2)) microvascular wall shear stress (WSS) on tumor-endothelial paracrine signaling associated with angiogenesis. It is hypothesized that high WSS will alter the endothelial phenotype such that vascular permeability and tumor-expressed angiogenic factors are reduced. Results demonstrate that endothelial permeability decreases as a function of increasing WSS, while co-culture with tumor cells increases permeability relative to mono-cultures. This response is likely due to shear stress-mediated endothelial cell alignment and tumor-VEGF-induced permeability. In addition, gene expression analysis revealed that high WSS (10 dyn/cm(2)) significantly down-regulates tumor-expressed MMP9, HIF1, VEGFA, ANG1, and ANG2, all of which are important factors implicated in tumor angiogenesis. This result was not observed in tumor mono-cultures or static conditioned media experiments, suggesting a flow-mediated paracrine signaling mechanism exists with surrounding tumor cells that elicits a change in expression of angiogenic factors. Findings from this work have significant implications regarding low blood velocities commonly seen in the tumor vasculature, suggesting high shear stress-regulation of angiogenic activity is lacking in many vessels, thereby driving tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara F Buchanan
- a Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University , School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences; Virginia Tech ; Blacksburg , VA USA
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Keskin D, Kim J, Cooke VG, Wu CC, Sugimoto H, Gu C, De Palma M, Kalluri R, LeBleu VS. Targeting vascular pericytes in hypoxic tumors increases lung metastasis via angiopoietin-2. Cell Rep 2015; 10:1066-81. [PMID: 25704811 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Strategies to target angiogenesis include inhibition of the vessel-stabilizing properties of vascular pericytes. Pericyte depletion in early-stage non-hypoxic tumors suppressed nascent angiogenesis, tumor growth, and lung metastasis. In contrast, pericyte depletion in advanced-stage hypoxic tumors with pre-established vasculature resulted in enhanced intra-tumoral hypoxia, decreased tumor growth, and increased lung metastasis. Furthermore, depletion of pericytes in post-natal retinal blood vessels resulted in abnormal and leaky vasculature. Tumor transcriptome profiling and biological validation revealed that angiopoietin signaling is a key regulatory pathway associated with pericyte targeting. Indeed, pericyte targeting in established mouse tumors increased angiopoietin-2 (ANG2/Angpt2) expression. Depletion of pericytes, coupled with targeting of ANG2 signaling, restored vascular stability in multiple model systems and decreased tumor growth and metastasis. Importantly, ANGPT2 expression correlated with poor outcome in patients with breast cancer. These results emphasize the potential utility of therapeutic regimens that target pericytes and ANG2 signaling in metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doruk Keskin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jiha Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vesselina G Cooke
- Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chia-Chin Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Hikaru Sugimoto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chenghua Gu
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michele De Palma
- The Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Valerie S LeBleu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Lee E, Pandey NB, Popel AS. Crosstalk between cancer cells and blood endothelial and lymphatic endothelial cells in tumour and organ microenvironment. Expert Rev Mol Med 2015; 17:e3. [PMID: 25634527 PMCID: PMC4352000 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2015.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tumour and organ microenvironments are crucial for cancer progression and metastasis. Crosstalk between multiple non-malignant cell types in the microenvironments and cancer cells promotes tumour growth and metastasis. Blood and lymphatic endothelial cells (BEC and LEC) are two of the components in the microenvironments. Tumour blood vessels (BV), comprising BEC, serve as conduits for blood supply into the tumour, and are important for tumour growth as well as haematogenous tumour dissemination. Lymphatic vessels (LV), comprising LEC, which are relatively leaky compared with BV, are essential for lymphogenous tumour dissemination. In addition to describing the conventional roles of the BV and LV, we also discuss newly emerging roles of these endothelial cells: their crosstalk with cancer cells via molecules secreted by the BEC and LEC (also called angiocrine and lymphangiocrine factors). This review suggests that BEC and LEC in various microenvironments can be orchestrators of tumour progression and proposes new mechanism-based strategies to discover new therapies to supplement conventional anti-angiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esak Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Niranjan B. Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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Tissue-engineered 3D tumor angiogenesis models: potential technologies for anti-cancer drug discovery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2014; 79-80:30-9. [PMID: 24819220 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is indispensable for solid tumor expansion, and thus it has become a major target of cancer research and anti-cancer therapies. Deciphering the arcane actions of various cell populations during tumor angiogenesis requires sophisticated research models, which could capture the dynamics and complexity of the process. There is a continuous need for improvement of existing research models, which engages interdisciplinary approaches of tissue engineering with life sciences. Tireless efforts to develop a new model to study tumor angiogenesis result in innovative solutions, which bring us one step closer to decipher the dubious nature of cancer. This review aims to overview the recent developments, current limitations and future challenges in three-dimensional tissue-engineered models for the study of tumor angiogenesis and for the purpose of elucidating novel targets aimed at anti-cancer drug discovery.
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The E2F transcription factors regulate tumor development and metastasis in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:3229-43. [PMID: 24934442 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00737-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
While the E2F transcription factors (E2Fs) have a clearly defined role in cell cycle control, recent work has uncovered new functions. Using genomic signature methods, we predicted a role for the activator E2F transcription factors in the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-polyomavirus middle T oncoprotein (PyMT) mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. To genetically test the hypothesis that the E2Fs function to regulate tumor development and metastasis, we interbred MMTV-PyMT mice with E2F1, E2F2, or E2F3 knockout mice. With the ablation of individual E2Fs, we noted alterations of tumor latency, histology, and vasculature. Interestingly, we noted striking reductions in metastatic capacity and in the number of circulating tumor cells in both the E2F1 and E2F2 knockout backgrounds. Investigating E2F target genes that mediate metastasis, we found that E2F loss led to decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegfa), Bmp4, Cyr61, Nupr1, Plod 2, P4ha1, Adamts1, Lgals3, and Angpt2. These gene expression changes indicate that the E2Fs control the expression of genes critical to angiogenesis, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, tumor cell survival, and tumor cell interactions with vascular endothelial cells that facilitate metastasis to the lungs. Taken together, these results reveal that the E2F transcription factors play key roles in mediating tumor development and metastasis in addition to their well-characterized roles in cell cycle control.
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Horch RE, Boos AM, Quan Y, Bleiziffer O, Detsch R, Boccaccini AR, Alexiou C, Sun J, Beier JP, Arkudas A. Cancer research by means of tissue engineering--is there a rationale? J Cell Mol Med 2013; 17:1197-206. [PMID: 24118692 PMCID: PMC4159017 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering (TE) has evoked new hopes for the cure of organ failure and tissue loss by creating functional substitutes in the laboratory. Besides various innovations in the context of Regenerative Medicine (RM), TE also provided new technology platforms to study mechanisms of angiogenesis and tumour cell growth as well as potentially tumour cell spreading in cancer research. Recent advances in stem cell technology--including embryonic and adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells--clearly show the need to better understand all relevant mechanisms to control cell growth when such techniques will be administered to patients. Such TE-Cancer research models allow us to investigate the interactions that occur when replicating physiological and pathological conditions during the initial phases of replication, morphogenesis, differentiation and growth under variable given conditions. Tissue microenvironment has been extensively studied in many areas of TE and it plays a crucial role in cell signalling and regulation of normal and malignant cell functions. This article is intended to give an overview on some of the most recent developments and possible applications of TE and RM methods with regard to the improvement of cancer research with TE platforms. The synthesis of TE with innovative methods of molecular biology and stem-cell technology may help investigate and potentially modulate principal phenomena of tumour growth and spreading, as well as tumour-related angiogenesis. In the future, these models have the potential to investigate the optimal materials, culture conditions and material structure to propagate tumour growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymund E Horch
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery and Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; Emerging Fields Initiative, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Buchanan CF, Voigt EE, Szot CS, Freeman JW, Vlachos PP, Rylander MN. Three-dimensional microfluidic collagen hydrogels for investigating flow-mediated tumor-endothelial signaling and vascular organization. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2013; 20:64-75. [PMID: 23730946 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2012.0731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpermeable tumor vessels are responsible for elevated interstitial fluid pressure and altered flow patterns within the tumor microenvironment. These aberrant hydrodynamic stresses may enhance tumor development by stimulating the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells lining the tumor vasculature. However, it is currently not known to what extent shear forces affect endothelial organization or paracrine signaling during tumor angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D), in vitro microfluidic tumor vascular model for coculture of tumor and endothelial cells under varying flow shear stress conditions. A central microchannel embedded within a collagen hydrogel functions as a single neovessel through which tumor-relevant hydrodynamic stresses are introduced and quantified using microparticle image velocimetry (μ-PIV). This is the first use of μ-PIV in a tumor representative, 3D collagen matrix comprised of cylindrical microchannels, rather than planar geometries, to experimentally measure flow velocity and shear stress. Results demonstrate that endothelial cells develop a confluent endothelium on the microchannel lumen that maintains integrity under physiological flow shear stresses. Furthermore, this system provides downstream molecular analysis capability, as demonstrated by quantitative RT-PCR, in which, tumor cells significantly increase expression of proangiogenic genes in response to coculture with endothelial cells under low flow conditions. This work demonstrates that the microfluidic in vitro cell culture model can withstand a range of physiological flow rates and permit quantitative measurement of wall shear stress at the fluid-collagen interface using μ-PIV optical flow diagnostics, ultimately serving as a versatile platform for elucidating the role of fluid forces on tumor-endothelial cross talk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara F Buchanan
- 1 School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University , Blacksburg, Virginia
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Szot CS, Buchanan CF, Freeman JW, Rylander MN. In vitro angiogenesis induced by tumor-endothelial cell co-culture in bilayered, collagen I hydrogel bioengineered tumors. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2013; 19:864-74. [PMID: 23516987 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2012.0684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although successful remission has been achieved when cancer is diagnosed and treated during its earliest stages of development, a tumor that has established neovascularization poses a significantly greater risk of mortality. The inability to recapitulate the complexities of a maturing in vivo tumor microenvironment in an in vitro setting has frustrated attempts to identify and test anti-angiogenesis therapies that are effective at permanently halting cancer progression. We have established an in vitro tumor angiogenesis model driven solely by paracrine signaling between MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and telomerase-immortalized human microvascular endothelial (TIME) cells co-cultured in a spatially relevant manner. The bilayered bioengineered tumor model consists of TIME cells cultured as an endothelium on the surface of an acellular collagen I hydrogel under which MDA-MB-231 cells are cultured in a separate collagen I hydrogel. Results showed that TIME cells co-cultured with the MDA-MB-231 cells demonstrated a significant increase in cell number, rapidly developed an elongated morphology, and invasively sprouted into the underlying acellular collagen I layer. Comparatively, bioengineered tumors cultured with less aggressive MCF7 breast cancer cells did not elicit an angiogenic response. Angiogenic sprouting was demonstrated by the formation of a complex capillary-like tubule network beneath the surface of a confluent endothelial monolayer with lumen formation and anastomosing branches. In vitro angiogenesis was dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, matrix concentration, and duration of co-culture. Basic fibroblast growth factor supplemented to the co-cultures augmented angiogenic sprouting. The development of improved preclinical tumor angiogenesis models, such as the one presented here, is critical for accurate evaluation and refinement of anti-angiogenesis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Szot
- 1 School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute-Wake Forest University , Blacksburg, Virginia
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Dickinson LE, Lütgebaucks C, Lewis DM, Gerecht S. Patterning microscale extracellular matrices to study endothelial and cancer cell interactions in vitro. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:4244-8. [PMID: 22992844 PMCID: PMC3500837 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40819h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tumor niche provides support to residing and migrating cells and presents instructive cues that influence cellular behaviours. The ECM protein fibronectin (Fn) enables vascular network formation, while hyaluronic acid (HA) is known to facilitate breast tumor development. To recapitulate aspects of the tumor microenvironment, we developed systems of spatially defined Fn and HA for the co-culture of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and breast cancer cells (BCCs). A micropatterned system was developed using sequential microcontact printing of HA and Fn. This approach supported the preferential adhesion of ECFCs to Fn, but did not support the preferential adhesion of BCCs to HA. Thus, we developed a microstructured analog to spatially organize BCC-laden HA micromolded hydrogels adjacent to ECFCs in fibrin hydrogels. These novel, miniaturized systems allow the analysis of the spatial and temporal mechanisms regulating tumor angiogenesis, and can be applied to mimic other microenvironments of healthy and diseased tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Dickinson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences- Oncology Center, and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Cardone RA, Greco MR, Capulli M, Weinman EJ, Busco G, Bellizzi A, Casavola V, Antelmi E, Ambruosi B, Dell'Aquila ME, Paradiso A, Teti A, Rucci N, Reshkin SJ. NHERF1 acts as a molecular switch to program metastatic behavior and organotropism via its PDZ domains. Mol Biol Cell 2012; 23:2028-40. [PMID: 22496422 PMCID: PMC3364169 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e11-11-0911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is the primary cause of death in cancer patients, but the molecular mechanisms driving the evolution of the phenotype toward a specific organ is one of its less understood aspects. The scaffolding protein NHERF1 reprograms the metastatic phenotype and organotropism via the differential function of its PDZ domains. Metastatic cells are highly plastic for differential expression of tumor phenotype hallmarks and metastatic organotropism. The signaling proteins orchestrating the shift of one cell phenotype and organ pattern to another are little known. Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF1) is a molecular pathway organizer, PDZ-domain protein that recruits membrane, cytoplasmic, and cytoskeletal signaling proteins into functional complexes. To gain insight into the role of NHERF1 in metastatic progression, we stably transfected a metastatic breast cell line, MDA-MB-231, with an empty vector, with wild-type NHERF1, or with NHERF1 mutated in either the PDZ1- or PDZ2-binding domains to block their binding activities. We observed that NHERF1 differentially regulates the expression of two phenotypic programs through its PDZ domains, and these programs form the mechanistic basis for metastatic organotropism. The PDZ2 domain promotes visceral metastases via increased invadopodia-dependent invasion and anchorage-independent growth, as well as by inhibition of apoptosis, whereas the PDZ1 domain promotes bone metastases by stimulating podosome nucleation, motility, neoangiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry, and osteoclastogenesis in the absence of increased growth or invasion. Collectively, these findings identify NHERF1 as an important signaling nexus for coordinating cell structure with metastatic behavior and identifies the “mesenchymal-to-vasculogenic” phenotypic transition as an essential step in metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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