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Cadavid JL, Li NT, McGuigan AP. Bridging systems biology and tissue engineering: Unleashing the full potential of complex 3D in vitro tissue models of disease. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 5:021301. [PMID: 38617201 PMCID: PMC11008916 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Rapid advances in tissue engineering have resulted in more complex and physiologically relevant 3D in vitro tissue models with applications in fundamental biology and therapeutic development. However, the complexity provided by these models is often not leveraged fully due to the reductionist methods used to analyze them. Computational and mathematical models developed in the field of systems biology can address this issue. Yet, traditional systems biology has been mostly applied to simpler in vitro models with little physiological relevance and limited cellular complexity. Therefore, integrating these two inherently interdisciplinary fields can result in new insights and move both disciplines forward. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of how systems biology has been integrated with 3D in vitro tissue models and discuss key application areas where the synergies between both fields have led to important advances with potential translational impact. We then outline key directions for future research and discuss a framework for further integration between fields.
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Jose A, Kulkarni P, Thilakan J, Munisamy M, Malhotra AG, Singh J, Kumar A, Rangnekar VM, Arya N, Rao M. Integration of pan-omics technologies and three-dimensional in vitro tumor models: an approach toward drug discovery and precision medicine. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:50. [PMID: 38461268 PMCID: PMC10924370 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in treatment protocols, cancer is one of the leading cause of deaths worldwide. Therefore, there is a need to identify newer and personalized therapeutic targets along with screening technologies to combat cancer. With the advent of pan-omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, the scientific community has witnessed an improved molecular and metabolomic understanding of various diseases, including cancer. In addition, three-dimensional (3-D) disease models have been efficiently utilized for understanding disease pathophysiology and as screening tools in drug discovery. An integrated approach utilizing pan-omics technologies and 3-D in vitro tumor models has led to improved understanding of the intricate network encompassing various signalling pathways and molecular cross-talk in solid tumors. In the present review, we underscore the current trends in omics technologies and highlight their role in understanding genotypic-phenotypic co-relation in cancer with respect to 3-D in vitro tumor models. We further discuss the challenges associated with omics technologies and provide our outlook on the future applications of these technologies in drug discovery and precision medicine for improved management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmi Jose
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Pallavi Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Jaya Thilakan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Murali Munisamy
- Department of Translational Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Anvita Gupta Malhotra
- Department of Translational Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Jitendra Singh
- Department of Translational Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India
| | - Vivek M Rangnekar
- Markey Cancer Center and Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Neha Arya
- Department of Translational Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462020, India.
| | - Mahadev Rao
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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3
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Lv W, Wu X, Dou Y, Yan Y, Chen L, Fei Z, Fei F. Homer1 Protects against Retinal Ganglion Cell Pyroptosis by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Associated TXNIP/NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Induced Retinal Ischemia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16811. [PMID: 38069134 PMCID: PMC10706256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia, after cerebral ischemia, is an easily overlooked pathophysiological problem in which inflammation is considered to play an important role. Pyroptosis is a kind of cell death pattern accompanied by inflammation. Homer scaffold protein 1 (Homer1) has anti-inflammation properties and protects against ischemic injury. However, little is known about pyroptosis following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced retinal ischemia and the regulatory mechanisms involved by Homer1 for the development of pyroptosis. In the present study, retinal ischemic injury was induced in mice by permanent MCAO in vivo, and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were subjected to Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation (OGD) to establish an in vitro model. It was shown that TXNIP/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis was located predominantly in RGCs, which gradually increased after retinal ischemia and peaked at 24 h after retinal ischemia. Interestingly, the RGCs pyroptosis occurred not only in the cell body but also in the axon. Notably, the occurrence of pyroptosis coincided with the change of Homer1 expression in the retina after retinal ischemia and Homer1 also co-localized with RGCs. It was demonstrated that overexpression of Homer1 not only alleviated RGCs pyroptosis and inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory factors but also led to the increase in phosphorylation of AMPK, inhibition of ER stress, and preservation of visual function after retinal ischemia. In conclusion, it was suggested that Homer1 may protect against MCAO-induced retinal ischemia and RGCs pyroptosis by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome activation after MCAO-induced retinal ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihao Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Xiuquan Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yanan Dou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yiwen Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Leiying Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Zhou Fei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Fei Fei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No. 127, Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710032, China
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4
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Landon-Brace N, Li NT, McGuigan AP. Exploring New Dimensions of Tumor Heterogeneity: The Application of Single Cell Analysis to Organoid-Based 3D In Vitro Models. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300903. [PMID: 37589373 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Modeling the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in vitro is essential to investigating fundamental cancer biology and developing novel treatment strategies that holistically address the factors affecting tumor progression and therapeutic response. Thus, the development of new tools for both in vitro modeling, such as patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and complex 3D in vitro models, and single cell omics analysis, such as single-cell RNA-sequencing, represents a new frontier for investigating tumor heterogeneity. Specifically, the integration of PDO-based 3D in vitro models and single cell analysis offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersecting effects of interpatient, microenvironmental, and tumor cell heterogeneity on cell phenotypes in the TME. In this review, the current use of PDOs in complex 3D in vitro models of the TME is discussed and the emerging directions in the development of these models are highlighted. Next, work that has successfully applied single cell analysis to PDO-based models is examined and important experimental considerations are identified for this approach. Finally, open questions are highlighted that may be amenable to exploration using the integration of PDO-based models and single cell analysis. Ultimately, such investigations may facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets for cancer that address the significant influence of tumor-TME interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Landon-Brace
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, M5S3E5, Canada
| | - Nancy T Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, M5S3E5, Canada
| | - Alison P McGuigan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, M5S3E5, Canada
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5
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Huang W, Li X, Song H, Yin Y, Wang H. Verification of fasting-mimicking diet to assist monotherapy of human cancer-bearing models. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115699. [PMID: 37482198 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of a single clinical nanodrug for cancer treatment is still unsatisfactory, especially for drug-resistant cancer. Herein, we applied a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) approach via dietary intervention to assist single clinical nanodrug for breast or ovarian cancer treatments instead of using multi-drug therapies which might cause adverse side effects. Specifically, we adopted Doxil or Abraxane to treat human breast tumor-bearing nude mice and Doxil to treat the human ovarian tumor and drug-resistant ovarian tumor-bearing nude mice under FMD conditions, respectively. According to the results, the FMD condition can promote the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of a single nanodrug, reduce the ATP level in drug-resistant tumor cells to hinder drug efflux, normalize tumor blood vessels, relieve tumor hypoxia, and increase the accumulation of nanodrugs at tumor sites, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effects on these types of human cancers. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the FMD strategy of significance can become a practical, alternative, and promising assistant for single nanodrug for enhancing cancer therapy and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Haohao Song
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yue Yin
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China; School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Hai Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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6
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Zheng DW, Qiao JY, Ma JC, An JX, Yang CH, Zhang Y, Cheng Q, Rao ZY, Zeng SM, Wang L, Zhang XZ. A Microbial Community Cultured in Gradient Hydrogel for Investigating Gut Microbiome-Drug Interaction and Guiding Therapeutic Decisions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2300977. [PMID: 37029611 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recognition that the gut microbiota acts a clinically significant role in cancer chemotherapy, both mechanistic understanding and translational research are still limited. Maximizing drug efficacy requires an in-depth understanding of how the microbiota contributes to therapeutic responses, while microbiota modulation is hindered by the complexity of the human body. To address this issue, a 3D experimental model named engineered microbiota (EM) is reported for bridging microbiota-drug interaction research and therapeutic decision-making. EM can be manipulated in vitro and faithfully recapitulate the human gut microbiota at the genus/species level while allowing co-culture with cells, organoids, and isolated tissues for testing drug responses. Examination of various clinical and experimental drugs by EM reveales that the gut microbiota affects drug efficacy through three pathways: immunological effects, bioaccumulation, and drug metabolism. Guided by discovered mechanisms, custom-tailored strategies are adopted to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of drugs on orthotopic tumor models with patient-derived gut microbiota. These strategies include immune synergy, nanoparticle encapsulation, and host-guest complex formation, respectively. Given the important role of the gut microbiota in influencing drug efficacy, EM will likely become an indispensable tool to guide drug translation and clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di-Wei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Ji-Yan Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Chi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Xin An
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Chi-Hui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine & Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, P. R. China
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine & Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Yong Rao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Si-Min Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Lin Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine & Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
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7
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Sitte ZR, Larson TS, McIntosh JC, Sinanian M, Lockett MR. Selecting the appropriate indirect viability assay for 3D paper-based cultures: a data-driven study. Analyst 2023; 148:2245-2255. [PMID: 37073480 PMCID: PMC10192127 DOI: 10.1039/d3an00283g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Cellular viability measurements quantify decreased proliferation or increased cytotoxicity caused by drug candidates or potential environmental toxins. Direct viability measures count each cell to provide an accurate readout. This approach can prove analytically challenging and time-consuming when cells are maintained in 3D structures akin to tissues or solid tumors. While less labor-intensive, indirect viability measures can be less accurate due to the heterogeneous structural and chemical microenvironment that arises when cells are maintained in tissue-like architectures and in contact with extracellular matrices. Here we determine the analytical figures of merit of five indirect viability assays in the paper-based cell culture platform we continue to develop in our laboratory: calcein-AM staining, the CellTiter-Glo assay, imaging fluorescent protein expression, propidium iodide staining, and the resazurin assay. We also determined the compatibility of each indirect assay with hypoxic conditions, intra-experimental repeatability, inter-experimental reproducibility, and ability to predict a potency value for a known antineoplastic drug. Our results show that each assay has benefits and drawbacks to consider when choosing the appropriate readout to answer a particular research question. We also highlight that only one indirect readout is unaffected by hypoxia, a commonly overlooked variable in cell culture that likely yields inaccurate viability measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R Sitte
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Tyler S Larson
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Julie C McIntosh
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Melanie Sinanian
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Matthew R Lockett
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 450 West Davis Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295, USA
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8
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Blatchley MR, Anseth KS. Middle-out methods for spatiotemporal tissue engineering of organoids. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:329-345. [PMID: 37168734 PMCID: PMC10010248 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00039-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Organoids recapitulate many aspects of the complex three-dimensional (3D) organization found within native tissues and even display tissue and organ-level functionality. Traditional approaches to organoid culture have largely employed a top-down tissue engineering strategy, whereby cells are encapsulated in a 3D matrix, such as Matrigel, alongside well-defined biochemical cues that direct morphogenesis. However, the lack of spatiotemporal control over niche properties renders cellular processes largely stochastic. Therefore, bottom-up tissue engineering approaches have evolved to address some of these limitations and focus on strategies to assemble tissue building blocks with defined multi-scale spatial organization. However, bottom-up design reduces the capacity for self-organization that underpins organoid morphogenesis. Here, we introduce an emerging framework, which we term middle-out strategies, that relies on existing design principles and combines top-down design of defined synthetic matrices that support proliferation and self-organization with bottom-up modular engineered intervention to limit the degrees of freedom in the dynamic process of organoid morphogenesis. We posit that this strategy will provide key advances to guide the growth of organoids with precise geometries, structures and function, thereby facilitating an unprecedented level of biomimicry to accelerate the utility of organoids to more translationally relevant applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Blatchley
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
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9
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Monteduro AG, Rizzato S, Caragnano G, Trapani A, Giannelli G, Maruccio G. Organs-on-chips technologies – A guide from disease models to opportunities for drug development. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 231:115271. [PMID: 37060819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Current in-vitro 2D cultures and animal models present severe limitations in recapitulating human physiopathology with striking discrepancies in estimating drug efficacy and side effects when compared to human trials. For these reasons, microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip and multiorgans microdevices attracted considerable attention as novel tools for high-throughput and high-content research to achieve an improved understanding of diseases and to accelerate the drug development process towards more precise and eventually personalized standards. This review takes the form of a guide on this fast-growing field, providing useful introduction to major themes and indications for further readings. We start analyzing Organs-on-chips (OOC) technologies for testing the major drug administration routes: (1) oral/rectal route by intestine-on-a-chip, (2) inhalation by lung-on-a-chip, (3) transdermal by skin-on-a-chip and (4) intravenous through vascularization models, considering how drugs penetrate in the bloodstream and are conveyed to their targets. Then, we focus on OOC models for (other) specific organs and diseases: (1) neurodegenerative diseases with brain models and blood brain barriers, (2) tumor models including their vascularization, organoids/spheroids, engineering and screening of antitumor drugs, (3) liver/kidney on chips and multiorgan models for gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic assessment of drugs and (4) biomechanical systems recapitulating heart, muscles and bones structures and related diseases. Successively, we discuss technologies and materials for organ on chips, analyzing (1) microfluidic tools for organs-on-chips, (2) sensor integration for real-time monitoring, (3) materials and (4) cell lines for organs on chips. (Nano)delivery approaches for therapeutics and their on chip assessment are also described. Finally, we conclude with a critical discussion on current significance/relevance, trends, limitations, challenges and future prospects in terms of revolutionary impact on biomedical research, preclinical models and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grazia Monteduro
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Silvia Rizzato
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giusi Caragnano
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Adriana Trapani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maruccio
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
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10
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Choquette T, Henson ES, Yang X, Johnston JB, Gibson SB. A novel method to investigate drug resistance in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) microenvironment: Analysis of CLL Cellular Environment and Response (ACCER). Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:822-834. [PMID: 36803637 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2171729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironments such as lymph nodes allow chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells to survive and become drug resistant. There are limited methods to study the to study the contribution of the stromal microenvironment. We have adapted a solid tumor microenvironment cell culture system that provides elements of the CLL microenvironment called Analysis of CLL Cellular Environment and Response (ACCER). We optimized the cell number for patient's primary CLL cells and HS-5 human bone marrow stromal cell line that will give sufficient cell number and viability with the ACCER. We then determined the amount of collagen type 1 to give the best extracellular matrix to seed CLL cells to the membrane. Finally, we determined that ACCER provide CLL cell protection against cell death following treatment with fludarabine and ibrutinib compared to co-culture conditions. This describes novel microenvironment model to investigate factors that promote drug resistance in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia Choquette
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Elizabeth S Henson
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James B Johnston
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Spencer B Gibson
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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11
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Ngo H, Amartumur S, Tran VTA, Tran M, Diep YN, Cho H, Lee LP. In Vitro Tumor Models on Chip and Integrated Microphysiological Analysis Platform (MAP) for Life Sciences and High-Throughput Drug Screening. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:231. [PMID: 36831997 PMCID: PMC9954135 DOI: 10.3390/bios13020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of preclinical in vitro cancer models has led to the emergence of human cancer-on-chip or microphysiological analysis platforms (MAPs). Although it has numerous advantages compared to other models, cancer-on-chip technology still faces several challenges such as the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and integrating multiple organs to be widely accepted in cancer research and therapeutics. In this review, we highlight the advancements in cancer-on-chip technology in recapitulating the vital biological features of various cancer types and their applications in life sciences and high-throughput drug screening. We present advances in reconstituting the tumor microenvironment and modeling cancer stages in breast, brain, and other types of cancer. We also discuss the relevance of MAPs in cancer modeling and precision medicine such as effect of flow on cancer growth and the short culture period compared to clinics. The advanced MAPs provide high-throughput platforms with integrated biosensors to monitor real-time cellular responses applied in drug development. We envision that the integrated cancer MAPs has a promising future with regard to cancer research, including cancer biology, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huyen Ngo
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarnai Amartumur
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Van Thi Ai Tran
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Minh Tran
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yen N. Diep
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansang Cho
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Luke P. Lee
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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12
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Sitte ZR, DiProspero TJ, Lockett MR. Evaluating the Impact of Physiologically Relevant Oxygen Tensions on Drug Metabolism in 3D Hepatocyte Cultures in Paper Scaffolds. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e662. [PMID: 36799572 PMCID: PMC10249672 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen is an essential regulator of cellular function and phenotype. Despite its importance, the incorporation of physiologically relevant oxygen tensions is often overlooked in experimental setups. Ambient oxygen tensions (pO2 ∼152 mmHg) are significantly higher than those in the alveolar-capillary barrier of the lung, which is the most oxygen-rich interface in the body (pO2 ∼104 mmHg). The discrepancy between standard culture practices and physiologically relevant oxygen tensions is more pronounced when considering the hepatocyte-lined sinusoids of the liver, whose pO2 values range from 65 mm Hg in the periportal region to 30 mm Hg in the perivenous region. Our previous work highlights the need to transition from standard culture conditions to more physiologically relevant microenvironments when predicting hepatocyte responses to drug candidates or potential toxins. This protocol details an experimental pipeline for quantifying differences in transcript levels, protein levels, and activity of the cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) enzyme family in hepatocytes maintained in a three-dimensional environment at ambient and physiologically relevant oxygen tensions. We quantify changes in transcript with qRT-PCR, protein expression with western blots, and activity with the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay. This approach can be adapted to any drug-metabolizing enzyme. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparing tissue-like environments to evaluate HepG2 cells in paper-based cell culture platform at physiological oxygen levels Basic Protocol 2: Evaluating CYP1A activity of hepatocytes grown in the paper scaffolds using the EROD assay Basic Protocol 3: Evaluating CYP1A transcript levels of hepatocytes grown in the paper scaffolds using RT-qPCR Basic Protocol 4: Evaluating CYP1A protein levels of hepatocytes grown in the paper scaffolds using western blotting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R. Sitte
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3290
| | - Thomas J. DiProspero
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3290
| | - Matthew R. Lockett
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3290
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295
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13
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Monschein M, Jurak E, Paasela T, Koitto T, Lambauer V, Pavicic M, Enjalbert T, Dumon C, Master ER. PACER: a novel 3D plant cell wall model for the analysis of non-catalytic and enzymatic responses. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:30. [PMID: 35296345 PMCID: PMC8928621 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02128-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Substrate accessibility remains a key limitation to the efficient enzymatic deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass. Limited substrate accessibility is often addressed by increasing enzyme loading, which increases process and product costs. Alternatively, considerable efforts are underway world-wide to identify amorphogenesis-inducing proteins and protein domains that increase the accessibility of carbohydrate-active enzymes to targeted lignocellulose components.
Results
We established a three-dimensional assay, PACER (plant cell wall model for the analysis of non-catalytic and enzymatic responses), that enables analysis of enzyme migration through defined lignocellulose composites. A cellulose/azo-xylan composite was made to demonstrate the PACER concept and then used to test the migration and activity of multiple xylanolytic enzymes. In addition to non-catalytic domains of xylanases, the potential of loosenin-like proteins to boost xylanase migration through cellulose/azo-xylan composites was observed.
Conclusions
The PACER assay is inexpensive and parallelizable, suitable for screening proteins for ability to increase enzyme accessibility to lignocellulose substrates. Using the PACER assay, we visualized the impact of xylan-binding modules and loosenin-like proteins on xylanase mobility and access to targeted substrates. Given the flexibility to use different composite materials, the PACER assay presents a versatile platform to study impacts of lignocellulose components on enzyme access to targeted substrates.
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14
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Feng J, Neuzil J, Manz A, Iliescu C, Neuzil P. Microfluidic trends in drug screening and drug delivery. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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15
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Li NT, Wu NC, Cao R, Cadavid JL, Latour S, Lu X, Zhu Y, Mijalkovic M, Roozitalab R, Landon-Brace N, Notta F, McGuigan AP. An off-the-shelf multi-well scaffold-supported platform for tumour organoid-based tissues. Biomaterials 2022; 291:121883. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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16
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Guan X, Huang S. Advances in the application of 3D tumor models in precision oncology and drug screening. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1021966. [PMID: 36246388 PMCID: PMC9555934 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1021966] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional tumor models cannot perfectly simulate the real state of tumors in vivo, resulting in the termination of many clinical trials. 3D tumor models’ technology provides new in vitro models that bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo findings, and organoids maintain the properties of the original tissue over a long period of culture, which enables extensive research in this area. In addition, they can be used as a substitute for animal and in vitro models, and organoids can be established from patients’ normal and malignant tissues, with unique advantages in clinical drug development and in guiding individualized therapies. 3D tumor models also provide a promising platform for high-throughput research, drug and toxicity testing, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. This report summarizes the 3D tumor model, including evidence regarding the 3D tumor cell culture model, 3D tumor slice model, and organoid culture model. In addition, it provides evidence regarding the application of 3D tumor organoid models in precision oncology and drug screening. The aim of this report is to elucidate the value of 3D tumor models in cancer research and provide a preclinical reference for the precise treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyong Guan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Shigao Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Shigao Huang,
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17
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Pieters V, Rjaibi ST, Singh K, Li NT, Khan ST, Nunes SS, Dal Cin A, Gilbert P, McGuigan AP. A three-dimensional human adipocyte model of fatty acid-induced obesity. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35896099 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac84b1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity prevalence has reached pandemic proportions, leaving individuals at high risk for the development of diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes. In obesity, to accommodate excess lipid storage, adipocytes become hypertrophic, which is associated with an increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and dysfunction of metabolic processes such as insulin signaling and lipolysis. Targeting adipocyte dysfunction is an important strategy to prevent the development of obesity-associated disease. However, it is unclear how accurately animal models reflect human biology, and the long-term culture of human hypertrophic adipocytes in an in vitro 2D monolayer is challenging due to the buoyant nature of adipocytes. Here we describe the development of a human 3D in vitro disease model that recapitulates hallmarks of obese adipocyte dysfunction. First, primary human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells are embedded in hydrogel, and infiltrated into a thin cellulose scaffold. The thin microtissue profile allows for efficient assembly and image-based analysis. After adipocyte differentiation, the scaffold is stimulated with oleic or palmitic acid to mimic caloric overload. Using functional assays, we demonstrated that this treatment induced important obese adipocyte characteristics such as a larger lipid droplet size, increased basal lipolysis, insulin resistance and a change in macrophage gene expression through adipocyte-conditioned media. This 3D disease model mimics physiologically relevant hallmarks of obese adipocytes, to enable investigations into the mechanisms by which dysfunctional adipocytes contribute to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Pieters
- University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R3E5, CANADA
| | - Saifedine T Rjaibi
- University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R3E5, CANADA
| | - Kanwaldeep Singh
- University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3E5, CANADA
| | - Nancy T Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1, CANADA
| | - Safwat T Khan
- University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3E5, CANADA
| | - Sara S Nunes
- University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3E5, CANADA
| | - Arianna Dal Cin
- McMaster University, 504-304 Victoria Ave North, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 5G4, CANADA
| | - Penney Gilbert
- University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3E5, CANADA
| | - Alison P McGuigan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Office: WB338, Walberg Building,, 200 College Street,, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1, CANADA
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18
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Lapin A, Perfahl H, Jain HV, Reuss M. Integrating a dynamic central metabolism model of cancer cells with a hybrid 3D multiscale model for vascular hepatocellular carcinoma growth. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12373. [PMID: 35858953 PMCID: PMC9300625 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15767-6] [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: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We develop here a novel modelling approach with the aim of closing the conceptual gap between tumour-level metabolic processes and the metabolic processes occurring in individual cancer cells. In particular, the metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma derived cell lines (HEPG2 cells) has been well characterized but implementations of multiscale models integrating this known metabolism have not been previously reported. We therefore extend a previously published multiscale model of vascular tumour growth, and integrate it with an experimentally verified network of central metabolism in HEPG2 cells. This resultant combined model links spatially heterogeneous vascular tumour growth with known metabolic networks within tumour cells and accounts for blood flow, angiogenesis, vascular remodelling and nutrient/growth factor transport within a growing tumour, as well as the movement of, and interactions between normal and cancer cells. Model simulations report for the first time, predictions of spatially resolved time courses of core metabolites in HEPG2 cells. These simulations can be performed at a sufficient scale to incorporate clinically relevant features of different tumour systems using reasonable computational resources. Our results predict larger than expected temporal and spatial heterogeneity in the intracellular concentrations of glucose, oxygen, lactate pyruvate, f16bp and Acetyl-CoA. The integrated multiscale model developed here provides an ideal quantitative framework in which to study the relationship between dosage, timing, and scheduling of anti-neoplastic agents and the physiological effects of tumour metabolism at the cellular level. Such models, therefore, have the potential to inform treatment decisions when drug response is dependent on the metabolic state of individual cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Lapin
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Institute of Chemical Process Engineering, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Holger Perfahl
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Harsh Vardhan Jain
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Matthias Reuss
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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19
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Lee YJ, Ahn YJ, Lee GJ. Cytotoxicity evaluation of sodium lauryl sulfate in a paper-based 3D cell culture system. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:1755-1764. [PMID: 35355024 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay00161f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Because three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is more similar to in vivo cell microenvironments than two-dimensional (2D) cell culture, various 3D cell culture systems have been developed. Recently, paper has been used as a promising material for 3D cell culture and tissue models due to its flexibility, ease of manufacture, low cost, and widespread accessibility. In this study, we fabricated a paper-based 3D cell culture platform consisting of a hydrophilic region for cell attachment and a hydrophobic region printed with wax. Using this paper platform for 3D culture of L929 cells, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of a model substance, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), using water-soluble tetrazolium salt, Live/Dead, and luminescence assays. Then we compared those cytotoxicity results with results from a conventional 3D cell culture kit and 2D cell culture. We found that 3D cultured cells on paper responded more sensitively to SLS than 2D cultured cells, and the cytotoxicity of SLS to cells grown on the paper-based 3D cell culture platform was similar to that of cells grown using a commercially available 3D cell culture kit. Therefore, we expect that our paper-based 3D cell culture platform can be applied as a simple and facile tool for cell viability evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ju Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Korea.
| | - Yong Jin Ahn
- Department of Medical Engineering, Kyung Hee University Graduate School, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Gi-Ja Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Korea.
- Department of Medical Engineering, Kyung Hee University Graduate School, Seoul 02447, Korea
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20
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Shapiro DD, Virumbrales-Muñoz M, Beebe DJ, Abel EJ. Models of Renal Cell Carcinoma Used to Investigate Molecular Mechanisms and Develop New Therapeutics. Front Oncol 2022; 12:871252. [PMID: 35463327 PMCID: PMC9022005 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.871252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Modeling renal cell carcinoma is critical to investigating tumor biology and therapeutic mechanisms. Multiple systems have been developed to represent critical components of the tumor and its surrounding microenvironment. Prominent in vitro models include traditional cell cultures, 3D organoid models, and microphysiological devices. In vivo models consist of murine patient derived xenografts or genetically engineered mice. Each system has unique advantages as well as limitations and researchers must thoroughly understand each model to properly investigate research questions. This review addresses common model systems for renal cell carcinoma and critically evaluates their performance and ability to measure tumor characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Shapiro
- Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States.,Division of Urology, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Maria Virumbrales-Muñoz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - David J Beebe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - E Jason Abel
- Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
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21
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Baek S, Yu SE, Deng Y, Lee Y, Lee DG, Kim S, Yoon S, Kim H, Park J, Lee CH, Lee JB, Kong HJ, Kang S, Shin YM, Sung H. Quenching Epigenetic Drug Resistance Using Antihypoxic Microparticles in Glioblastoma Patient-Derived Chips. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102226. [PMID: 34963195 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most intractable tumor types due to the progressive drug resistance upon tumor mass expansion. Incremental hypoxia inside the growing tumor mass drives epigenetic drug resistance by activating nongenetic repair of antiapoptotic DNA, which could be impaired by drug treatment. Hence, rescuing intertumor hypoxia by oxygen-generating microparticles may promote susceptibility to antitumor drugs. Moreover, a tumor-on-a-chip model enables user-specified alternation of clinic-derived samples. This study utilizes patient-derived glioblastoma tissue to generate cell spheroids with size variations in a 3D microchannel network chip (GBM chip). As the spheroid size increases, epigenetic drug resistance is promoted with inward hypoxia severance, as supported by the spheroid size-proportional expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1a in the chip. Loading antihypoxia microparticles onto the spheroid surface significantly reduces drug resistance by silencing the expression of critical epigenetic factor, resulting in significantly decreased cell invasiveness. The results are confirmed in vitro using cell line and patient samples in the chip as well as chip implantation into a hypoxic hindlimb ischemia model in mice, which is an unprecedented approach in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sewoom Baek
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science Medical Device Engineering and Management Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Yu
- Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Yu‐Heng Deng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL 61801 USA
| | - Yong‐Jae Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Gue Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Surim Kim
- Department of Bio‐convergence Yonsei University Underwood International College 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Seonjin Yoon
- Department of Neurosurgery Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Hye‐Seon Kim
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science Medical Device Engineering and Management Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongeun Park
- Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Hee Lee
- Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Bok Lee
- Department of Biological Science Sookmyung Women's University 25, Cheongpa‐ro 47ga‐gil, Yongsan‐gu Seoul 04314 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Joon Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL 61801 USA
| | - Seok‐Gu Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Shin
- Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Hak‐Joon Sung
- Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine 50‐1 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐gu Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
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22
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Tao J, Zhu S, Zhou N, Wang Y, Wan H, Zhang L, Tang Y, Pan Y, Yang Y, Zhang J, Liu R. Nanoparticle-Stabilized Emulsion Bioink for Digital Light Processing Based 3D Bioprinting of Porous Tissue Constructs. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102810. [PMID: 35194975 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
A challenge for bioprinting tissue constructs is enabling the viability and functionality of encapsulated cells. Rationally designed bioink that can create appropriate biophysical cues shows great promise for overcoming such challenges. Here, a nanoparticle-stabilized emulsion bioink for direct fabrication of porous tissue constructs by digital light processing based 3D bioprinting technology is introduced. The emulsion bioink is integrated by the mixture of aqueous dextran microdroplets and gelatin methacryloyl solution and is further rendered stable by β-lactoglobulin nanoparticles. After bioprinting, the printed tissue constructs create the macroporous structure via removal of dextran, thereby providing favorable biophysical cues to promote the viability, proliferation, and spreading of the encapsulated cells. Moreover, a trachea-shaped construct containing chondrocytes is bioprinted and implanted in vivo. The results demonstrate that the generated macroporous construct is of benefit to cartilage tissue rebuilding. This work offers an advanced bioink for the fabrication of living tissue constructs by activating the cell behaviors and functions in situ and can lead to the development of 3D bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tao
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Shunyao Zhu
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Nazi Zhou
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Haoyuan Wan
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Yaping Tang
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Yingzi Pan
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
- Basic Medical College Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
| | - Jianxiang Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics College of Pharmacy Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Stomatology Daping Hospital Army Medical University (The Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400042 China
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23
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Modeling the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Cell Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040962. [PMID: 35205707 PMCID: PMC8870277 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Accurate in vitro modeling of diseases is essential to making breakthrough and clinically relevant discoveries. Assays to examine the process of invasion—a classical hallmark of cancer—have evolved over the years to overcome shortfalls in their design and accommodate new knowledge in the field, such as the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in propagating this process. The goals of this review are two-fold: To walk through the tried-and-true plus novel and new invasion assays currently used in cancer research with a focus on those incorporating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and to be a resource for researchers to find the correct invasion assays that suit their own unique needs and biological questions. Abstract The major cause of cancer-related deaths can be attributed to the metastatic spread of tumor cells—a dynamic and complex multi-step process beginning with tumor cells acquiring an invasive phenotype to allow them to travel through the blood and lymphatic vessels to ultimately seed at a secondary site. Over the years, various in vitro models have been used to characterize specific steps in the cascade to collectively begin providing a clearer picture of the puzzle of metastasis. With the discovery of the TME’s supporting role in activating tumor cell invasion and metastasis, these models have evolved in parallel to accommodate features of the TME and to observe its interactions with tumor cells. In particular, CAFs that reside in reactive tumor stroma have been shown to play a substantial pro-invasive role through their matrix-modifying functions; accordingly, this warranted further investigation with the development and use of invasion assays that could include these stromal cells. This review explores the growing toolbox of assays used to study tumor cell invasion, from the simple beginnings of a tumor cell and extracellular matrix set-up to the advent of models that aim to more closely recapitulate the interplay between tumor cells, CAFs and the extracellular matrix. These models will prove to be invaluable tools to help tease out the intricacies of tumor cell invasion.
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24
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Barbosa MAG, Xavier CPR, Pereira RF, Petrikaitė V, Vasconcelos MH. 3D Cell Culture Models as Recapitulators of the Tumor Microenvironment for the Screening of Anti-Cancer Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:190. [PMID: 35008353 PMCID: PMC8749977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, innovative three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been proposed as viable and biomimetic alternatives for initial drug screening, allowing the improvement of the efficiency of drug development. These models are gaining popularity, given their ability to reproduce key aspects of the tumor microenvironment, concerning the 3D tumor architecture as well as the interactions of tumor cells with the extracellular matrix and surrounding non-tumor cells. The development of accurate 3D models may become beneficial to decrease the use of laboratory animals in scientific research, in accordance with the European Union's regulation on the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). This review focuses on the impact of 3D cell culture models on cancer research, discussing their advantages, limitations, and compatibility with high-throughput screenings and automated systems. An insight is also given on the adequacy of the available readouts for the interpretation of the data obtained from the 3D cell culture models. Importantly, we also emphasize the need for the incorporation of additional and complementary microenvironment elements on the design of 3D cell culture models, towards improved predictive value of drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie A. G. Barbosa
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.A.G.B.); (C.P.R.X.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Cristina P. R. Xavier
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.A.G.B.); (C.P.R.X.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Rúben F. Pereira
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Biofabrication Group, INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vilma Petrikaitė
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus g 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - M. Helena Vasconcelos
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.A.G.B.); (C.P.R.X.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP—Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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25
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Tan ML, Ling L, Fischbach C. Engineering strategies to capture the biological and biophysical tumor microenvironment in vitro. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113852. [PMID: 34197895 PMCID: PMC8440401 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of research and advancements in diagnostic and treatment modalities, cancer remains a major global healthcare challenge. This is due in part to a lack of model systems that allow investigating the mechanisms underlying tumor development, progression, and therapy resistance under relevant conditions in vitro. Tumor cell interactions with their surroundings influence all stages of tumorigenesis and are shaped by both biological and biophysical cues including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, tissue architecture and mechanics, and mass transport. Engineered tumor models provide promising platforms to elucidate the individual and combined contributions of these cues to tumor malignancy under controlled and physiologically relevant conditions. This review will summarize current knowledge of the biological and biophysical microenvironmental cues that influence tumor development and progression, present examples of in vitro model systems that are presently used to study these interactions and highlight advancements in tumor engineering approaches to further improve these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Tan
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Lu Ling
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA; Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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26
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Blatchley MR, Hall F, Ntekoumes D, Cho H, Kailash V, Vazquez‐Duhalt R, Gerecht S. Discretizing Three-Dimensional Oxygen Gradients to Modulate and Investigate Cellular Processes. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2100190. [PMID: 34151527 PMCID: PMC8292886 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
With the increased realization of the effect of oxygen (O2 ) deprivation (hypoxia) on cellular processes, recent efforts have focused on the development of engineered systems to control O2 concentrations and establish biomimetic O2 gradients to study and manipulate cellular behavior. Nonetheless, O2 gradients present in 3D engineered platforms result in diverse cell behavior across the O2 gradient, making it difficult to identify and study O2 sensitive signaling pathways. Using a layer-by-layer assembled O2 -controllable hydrogel, the authors precisely control O2 concentrations and study uniform cell behavior in discretized O2 gradients, then recapitulate the dynamics of cluster-based vasculogenesis, one mechanism for neovessel formation, and show distinctive gene expression patterns remarkably correlate to O2 concentrations. Using RNA sequencing, it is found that time-dependent regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling enables cell survival and clustering in the high stress microenvironments. Various extracellular matrix modulators orchestrate hypoxia-driven endothelial cell clustering. Finally, clustering is facilitated by regulators of cell-cell interactions, mainly vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Taken together, novel regulators of hypoxic cluster-based vasculogenesis are identified, and evidence for the utility of a unique platform is provided to study dynamic cellular responses to 3D hypoxic environments, with broad applicability in development, regeneration, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Blatchley
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringInstitute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences‐Oncology CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Franklyn Hall
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringInstitute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences‐Oncology CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Dimitris Ntekoumes
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringInstitute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences‐Oncology CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Hyunwoo Cho
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringInstitute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences‐Oncology CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Vidur Kailash
- Department of BiophysicsJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Rafael Vazquez‐Duhalt
- Department of BionanotechnologyCenter for Nanosciences and NanotechnologyNational Autonomous University of MexicoEnsenadaBaja California22800Mexico
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringInstitute for NanoBioTechnology and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences‐Oncology CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
- Department of OncologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
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27
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Zang Q, Sun C, Chu X, Li L, Gan W, Zhao Z, Song Y, He J, Zhang R, Abliz Z. Spatially resolved metabolomics combined with multicellular tumor spheroids to discover cancer tissue relevant metabolic signatures. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1155:338342. [PMID: 33766316 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Spatially resolved metabolomics offers unprecedented opportunities for elucidating metabolic mechanisms during cancer progression. It facilitated the discovery of aberrant cellular metabolism with clinical application potential. Here, we developed a novel strategy to discover cancer tissue relevant metabolic signatures by high spatially resolved metabolomics combined with a multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) in vitro model. Esophageal cancer MCTS were generated using KYSE-30 human esophageal cancer cells to fully mimic the 3D microenvironment under physiological conditions. Then, the spatial features and temporal variation of metabolites and metabolic pathways in MCTS were accurately mapped by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) with a spatial resolution at ∼12 μm. Metabolites, such as glutamate, tyrosine, inosine and various types of lipids displayed heterogeneous distributions in different microregions inside the MCTS, revealing the metabolic heterogenicity of cancer cells under different proliferative states. Subsequently, through joint analysis of metabolomic data of clinical cancer tissue samples, cancer tissue relevant metabolic signatures in esophageal cancer MCTS were identified, including glutamine metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, de novo synthesis phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), etc. In addition, the abnormal expression of the involved metabolic enzymes, i.e., GLS, FASN, CHKA and cPLA2, was further confirmed and showed similar tendencies in esophageal cancer MCTS and cancer tissues. The MALDI-MSI combined with MCTS approach offers molecular insights into cancer metabolism with real-word relevance, which would potentially benefit the biomarker discovery and metabolic mechanism studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingce Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Chenglong Sun
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Xiaoping Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Limei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wenqiang Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zitong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yongmei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Jiuming He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Zeper Abliz
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Center for Imaging and Systems Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China.
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28
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Tam NW, Chung D, Baldwin SJ, Simmons JR, Xu L, Rainey JK, Dellaire G, Frampton JP. Material properties of disulfide-crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogels influence prostate cancer cell growth and metabolism. J Mater Chem B 2021; 8:9718-9733. [PMID: 33015692 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01570a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cells reside in vivo within three dimensional environments in which they interact with extracellular matrices (ECMs) that play an integral role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing tumour growth. Thus, tissue culture approaches that more faithfully reproduce these interactions with the ECM are needed to study cancer development and progression. Many materials exist for modeling tissue environments, and the effects of differing mechanical, physical, and biochemical properties of such materials on cell behaviour are often intricately coupled and difficult to tease apart. Here, an optimized protocol was developed to generate low reaction volume disulfide-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels for use in cell culture applications to relate the properties of ECM materials to cell signalling and behaviour. Mechanically, HA hydrogels are comparable to other soft hydrogel materials such as Matrigel and agarose or to tissues lacking type I collagen and other fibrillar ECM components. The diffusion of soluble materials in these hydrogels is affected by unique mass transfer properties. Specifically, HA hydrogel concentration affects the diffusion of anionic particles above 500 kDa, whereas diffusion of smaller particles appears unimpeded by HA content, likely reflecting hydrogel pore size. The HA hydrogels have a strong exclusion effect that limits the movement of proteins into and out of the material once fully formed. Such mass transfer properties have interesting implications for cell culture, as they ultimately affect access to nutrients and the distribution of signalling molecules, affecting nutrient sensing and metabolic activity. The use of disulfide-crosslinked HA hydrogels for the culture of the model prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and LNCaP reveals correlations of protein activation linked to metabolic flux, which parallel and can thus potentially provide insights into cell survival mechanisms in response to starvation that occurs in cancer cell microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky W Tam
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Dudley Chung
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Samuel J Baldwin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Jeffrey R Simmons
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Lingling Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jan K Rainey
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada and Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada and Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Graham Dellaire
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada and Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - John P Frampton
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada and Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
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29
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Xing Y, Wang Q, Zhang J, Li W, Duan A, Yang J, Liu Z. Chromatin accessibility of kidney tubular cells under stress reveals key transcription factor mediating acute and chronic kidney disease. FEBS J 2021; 288:5446-5458. [PMID: 33713542 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cellular injury caused by stimuli plays an important role in the progression of various diseases including acute and chronic kidney diseases. The dynamic transcriptional regulation responding to stimuli underlies the important mechanism of injury. In this study, we investigated the regulatory elements and their dynamic activities in kidney tubular epithelial cells. We captured the chromatin accessibility and gene expression with ATAC-seq and RNA sequencing under a variety of extracellular stimuli including H2 O2 , TGF-β1, and FG4592 which is an agonist of hypoxia-inducible factor. Our results revealed both condition-specific and condition-shared transcription regulation. Interestingly, the shared regulation program revealed that the key transcription factor HNF1B-mediated cellular reprogramming leads to a common change among the stimuli. We found the HNF1B regulatory network was significantly disrupted in various kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexian Xing
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenju Li
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aiping Duan
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingping Yang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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30
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Academic collaborative models fostering the translation of physiological in vitro systems from basic research into drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1369-1381. [PMID: 33677144 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The success of preclinical drug discovery strongly relies on the ability of experimental models to resemble human pathophysiology. The number of compounds receiving approval for clinical use is limited, and this has led to the development of more physiologically relevant cellular models aimed at making preclinical results more prone to be successfully translated into clinical use. In this review, we summarize the technologies available in the field of high-throughput screening (HTS) using complex cellular models, and describe collaborative initiatives, such as EU-OPENSCREEN, which can efficiently support researchers to easily access state-of-the-art chemical biology platforms for improving the drug discovery process.
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31
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Ornell KJ, Mistretta KS, Ralston CQ, Coburn JM. Development of a stacked, porous silk scaffold neuroblastoma model for investigating spatial differences in cell and drug responsiveness. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:1272-1290. [PMID: 33336667 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01153c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Development of in vitro, preclinical cancer models that contain cell-driven microenvironments remains a challenge. Engineering of millimeter-scale, in vitro tumor models with spatially distinct regions that can be independently assessed to study tumor microenvironments has been limited. Here, we report the use of porous silk scaffolds to generate a high cell density neuroblastoma (NB) model that can spatially recapitulate changes resulting from cell and diffusion driven changes. Using COMSOL modeling, a scaffold holder design that facilitates stacking of thin, 200 μm silk scaffolds into a thick, bulk millimeter-scale tumor model (2, 4, 6, and 8 stacked scaffolds) and supports cell-driven oxygen gradients was developed. Cell-driven oxygen gradients were confirmed through pimonidazole staining. Post-culture, the stacked scaffolds were separated for analysis on a layer-by-layer basis. The analysis of each scaffold layer demonstrated decreasing DNA and increasing expression of hypoxia related genes (VEGF, CAIX, and GLUT1) from the exterior scaffolds to the interior scaffolds. Furthermore, the expression of hypoxia related genes at the interior of the stacks was comparable to that of a single scaffold cultured under 1% O2 and at the exterior of the stacks was comparable to that of a single scaffold cultured under 21% O2. The four-stack scaffold model underwent further evaluation to determine if a hypoxia activated drug, tirapazamine, induced reduced cell viability within the internal stacks (region of reduced oxygen) as compared with the external stacks. Decreased DNA content was observed in the internal stacks as compared to the external stacks when treated with tirapazamine, which suggests the internal scaffold stacks had higher levels of hypoxia than the external scaffolds. This stacked silk scaffold system presents a method for creating a single culture model capable of generating controllable cell-driven microenvironments through different stacks that can be individually assessed and used for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Ornell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Katelyn S Mistretta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Coulter Q Ralston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Jeannine M Coburn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
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32
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Lv Y, Wang H, Li G, Zhao B. Three-dimensional decellularized tumor extracellular matrices with different stiffness as bioengineered tumor scaffolds. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:2767-2782. [PMID: 33665508 PMCID: PMC7897907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment, matrix stiffness is associated with the regulation of tumor cells behaviors. In vitro tumor models with appropriate matrix stiffness are urgently desired. Herein, we prepare 3D decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) scaffolds with different stiffness to mimic the microenvironment of human breast tumor tissue, especially the matrix stiffness, components and structure of ECM. Furthermore, the effects of matrix stiffness on the drug resistance of human breast cancer cells are explored with these developed scaffolds as case studies. Our results confirm that DECM scaffolds with diverse stiffness can be generated by tumor cells with different lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression levels, while the barely intact structure and major components of the ECM are maintained without cells. This versatile 3D tumor model with suitable stiffness can be used as a bioengineered tumor scaffold to investigate the role of the microenvironment in tumor progression and to screen drugs prior to clinical use to a certain extent. Novel 3D bioengineered tumor scaffolds with different stiffness were developed. Cells with different LOX expression levels were used to generate tumor tissue. DECM scaffold has good cytocompatibility. DECM with high stiffness promotes the resistance of MDA-MB-231 cells to cisplatin. DECM with high stiffness increases the expression of Bcl-2 and ABCB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lv
- Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Hongjun Wang
- Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Gui Li
- Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Boyuan Zhao
- Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
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33
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Tumor Hypoxia as a Barrier in Cancer Therapy: Why Levels Matter. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030499. [PMID: 33525508 PMCID: PMC7866096 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors and associated with poor outcome in most cancer types and treatment modalities, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and, most likely, immunotherapy. Emerging strategies, such as proton therapy and combination therapies with radiation and hypoxia targeted drugs, provide new opportunities to overcome the hypoxia barrier and improve therapeutic outcome. Hypoxia is heterogeneously distributed both between and within tumors and shows large variations across patients not only in prevalence, but importantly, also in level. To best exploit the emerging strategies, a better understanding of how individual hypoxia levels from mild to severe affect tumor biology is vital. Here, we discuss our current knowledge on this topic and how we should proceed to gain more insight into the field. Abstract Hypoxia arises in tumor regions with insufficient oxygen supply and is a major barrier in cancer treatment. The distribution of hypoxia levels is highly heterogeneous, ranging from mild, almost non-hypoxic, to severe and anoxic levels. The individual hypoxia levels induce a variety of biological responses that impair the treatment effect. A stronger focus on hypoxia levels rather than the absence or presence of hypoxia in our investigations will help development of improved strategies to treat patients with hypoxic tumors. Current knowledge on how hypoxia levels are sensed by cancer cells and mediate cellular responses that promote treatment resistance is comprehensive. Recently, it has become evident that hypoxia also has an important, more unexplored role in the interaction between cancer cells, stroma and immune cells, influencing the composition and structure of the tumor microenvironment. Establishment of how such processes depend on the hypoxia level requires more advanced tumor models and methodology. In this review, we describe promising model systems and tools for investigations of hypoxia levels in tumors. We further present current knowledge and emerging research on cellular responses to individual levels, and discuss their impact in novel therapeutic approaches to overcome the hypoxia barrier.
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34
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Fernando K, Kwang LG, Lim JTC, Fong ELS. Hydrogels to engineer tumor microenvironments in vitro. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:2362-2383. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01943g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Illustration of engineered hydrogel to recapitulate aspects of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanishka Fernando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Leng Gek Kwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Joanne Tze Chin Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Eliza Li Shan Fong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
- The N.1 Institute for Health
- National University of Singapore
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35
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Romani P, Valcarcel-Jimenez L, Frezza C, Dupont S. Crosstalk between mechanotransduction and metabolism. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:22-38. [PMID: 33188273 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-00306-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical forces shape cells and tissues during development and adult homeostasis. In addition, they also signal to cells via mechanotransduction pathways to control cell proliferation, differentiation and death. These processes require metabolism of nutrients for both energy generation and biosynthesis of macromolecules. However, how cellular mechanics and metabolism are connected is still poorly understood. Here, we discuss recent evidence indicating how the mechanical cues exerted by the extracellular matrix (ECM), cell-ECM and cell-cell adhesion complexes influence metabolic pathways. Moreover, we explore the energy and metabolic requirements associated with cell mechanics and ECM remodelling, implicating a reciprocal crosstalk between cell mechanics and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Romani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Christian Frezza
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Sirio Dupont
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy.
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de Oliveira ÉA, Goding CR, Maria-Engler SS. Organotypic Models in Drug Development "Tumor Models and Cancer Systems Biology for the Investigation of Anticancer Drugs and Resistance Development". Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 265:269-301. [PMID: 32548785 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The landscape of cancer treatment has improved over the past decades, aiming to reduce systemic toxicity and enhance compatibility with the quality of life of the patient. However, at the therapeutic level, metastatic cancer remains hugely challenging, based on the almost inevitable emergence of therapy resistance. A small subpopulation of cells able to survive drug treatment termed the minimal residual disease may either harbor resistance-associated mutations or be phenotypically resistant, allowing them to regrow and become the dominant population in the therapy-resistant tumor. Characterization of the profile of minimal residual disease represents the key to the identification of resistance drivers that underpin cancer evolution. Therapeutic regimens must, therefore, be dynamic and tailored to take into account the emergence of resistance as tumors evolve within a complex microenvironment in vivo. This requires the adoption of new technologies based on the culture of cancer cells in ways that more accurately reflect the intratumor microenvironment, and their analysis using omics and system-based technologies to enable a new era in the diagnostics, classification, and treatment of many cancer types by applying the concept "from the cell plate to the patient." In this chapter, we will present and discuss 3D model building and use, and provide comprehensive information on new genomic techniques that are increasing our understanding of drug action and the emergence of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica Aparecida de Oliveira
- Skin Biology and Melanoma Lab, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Colin R Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
- Skin Biology and Melanoma Lab, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Chen S, McCarthy A, John JV, Su Y, Xie J. Converting 2D Nanofiber Membranes to 3D Hierarchical Assemblies with Structural and Compositional Gradients Regulates Cell Behavior. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2003754. [PMID: 32944991 PMCID: PMC7606784 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202003754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
New methods are described for converting 2D electrospun nanofiber membranes to 3D hierarchical assemblies with structural and compositional gradients. Pore-size gradients are generated by tuning the expansion of 2D membranes in different layers with incorporation of various amounts of a surfactant during the gas-foaming process. The gradient in fiber organizations is formed by expanding 2D nanofiber membranes composed of multiple regions collected by varying rotating speeds of mandrel. A compositional gradient on 3D assemblies consisting of radially aligned nanofibers is prepared by dripping, diffusion, and crosslinking. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the 3D nanofiber assemblies with smaller pore size show significantly higher expression of hypoxia-related markers and enhanced chondrogenic differentiation compared to BMSCs cultured on the assemblies with larger pore size. The basic fibroblast growth factor gradient can accelerate fibroblast migration from the surrounding area to the center in an in vitro wound healing model. Taken together, 3D nanofiber assemblies with gradients in pore sizes, fiber organizations, and contents of signaling molecules can be used to engineer tissue constructs for tissue repair and build biomimetic disease models for studying disease biology and screening drugs, in particular, for interface tissue engineering and modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixuan Chen
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Alec McCarthy
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Johnson V John
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Yajuan Su
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
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Zheng DW, Hong S, Zhang QL, Dong X, Pan P, Song WF, Song W, Cheng SX, Zhang XZ. Controllable gelation of artificial extracellular matrix for altering mass transport and improving cancer therapies. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4907. [PMID: 32999289 PMCID: PMC7527557 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Global alterations in the metabolic network provide substances and energy to support tumor progression. To fuel these metabolic processes, extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a dominant role in supporting the mass transport and providing essential nutrients. Here, we report a fibrinogen and thrombin based coagulation system to construct an artificial ECM (aECM) for selectively cutting-off the tumor metabolic flux. Once a micro-wound is induced, a cascaded gelation of aECM can be triggered to besiege the tumor. Studies on cell behaviors and metabolomics reveal that aECM cuts off the mass transport and leads to a tumor specific starvation to inhibit tumor growth. In orthotopic and spontaneous murine tumor models, this physical barrier also hinders cancer cells from distant metastasis. The in vivo gelation provides an efficient approach to selectively alter the tumor mass transport. This strategy results in a 77% suppression of tumor growth. Most importantly, the gelation of aECM can be induced by clinical operations such as ultrasonic treatment, surgery or radiotherapy, implying this strategy is potential to be translated into a clinical combination regimen. The extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence tumor growth and its response to therapy. Here, the authors develop a fibrinogen and thrombin based artificial ECM that can starve tumours and prevent dissemination of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di-Wei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Hong
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Qiu-Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Xue Dong
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Pei Pan
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Fang Song
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Wen Song
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Si-Xue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P.R. China.
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Doctor A, Seifert V, Ullrich M, Hauser S, Pietzsch J. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Systems in Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102765. [PMID: 32993034 PMCID: PMC7600608 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In preclinical cancer research, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems such as multicellular spheroids and organoids are becoming increasingly important. They provide valuable information before studies on animal models begin and, in some cases, are even suitable for reducing or replacing animal experiments. Furthermore, they recapitulate microtumors, metastases, and the tumor microenvironment much better than monolayer culture systems could. Three-dimensional models show higher structural complexity and diverse cell interactions while reflecting (patho)physiological phenomena such as oxygen and nutrient gradients in the course of their growth or development. These interactions and properties are of great importance for understanding the pathophysiological importance of stromal cells and the extracellular matrix for tumor progression, treatment response, or resistance mechanisms of solid tumors. Special emphasis is placed on co-cultivation with tumor-associated cells, which further increases the predictive value of 3D models, e.g., for drug development. The aim of this overview is to shed light on selected 3D models and their advantages and disadvantages, especially from the radiopharmacist's point of view with focus on the suitability of 3D models for the radiopharmacological characterization of novel radiotracers and radiotherapeutics. Special attention is paid to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as a predestined target for the development of new radionuclide-based theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Doctor
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (A.D.); (V.S.); (M.U.); (S.H.)
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Verena Seifert
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (A.D.); (V.S.); (M.U.); (S.H.)
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Ullrich
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (A.D.); (V.S.); (M.U.); (S.H.)
| | - Sandra Hauser
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (A.D.); (V.S.); (M.U.); (S.H.)
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (A.D.); (V.S.); (M.U.); (S.H.)
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-351-260-2622
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Ding C, Chen X, Kang Q, Yan X. Biomedical Application of Functional Materials in Organ-on-a-Chip. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:823. [PMID: 32793573 PMCID: PMC7387427 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology has been utilized in a lot of biomedical fields such as fundamental physiological and pharmacological researches. Various materials have been introduced in OOC and can be broadly classified into inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials. Although PDMS continues to be the preferred material for laboratory research, materials for OOC are constantly evolving and progressing, and have promoted the development of OOC. This mini review provides a summary of the various type of materials for OOC systems, focusing on the progress of materials and related fabrication technologies within the last 5 years. The advantages and drawbacks of these materials in particular applications are discussed. In addition, future perspectives and challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizhu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinshu Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianghua Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pig Precision Feeding and Feed Safety Technology, Wuhan, China
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Agarwal T, Borrelli MR, Makvandi P, Ashrafizadeh M, Maiti TK. Paper-Based Cell Culture: Paving the Pathway for Liver Tissue Model Development on a Cellulose Paper Chip. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:3956-3974. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Mimi R. Borrelli
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80078, Italy
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 51666-16471, Iran
| | - Tapas Kumar Maiti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
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Dean T, Li NT, Cadavid JL, Ailles L, McGuigan AP. A TRACER culture invasion assay to probe the impact of cancer associated fibroblasts on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell invasiveness. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:3078-3094. [PMID: 32347842 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm02017a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major cellular component of the tumour stroma and have been shown to promote tumour cell invasion and disease progression. CAF-cancer cell interactions are bi-directional and occur via both soluble factor dependent and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling mechanisms, which are incompletely understood. Previously we developed the Tissue Roll for Analysis of Cellular Environment and Response (TRACER), a novel stacked paper tumour model in which cells embedded in a hydrogel are infiltrated into a porous cellulose scaffold that is then rolled around an aluminum core to generate a multi-layered 3D tissue. Here, we use the TRACER platform to explore the impact of CAFs derived from three different patients on the invasion of two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines (CAL33 and FaDu). We find that co-culture with CAFs enhances HNSCC tumour cell invasion into an acellular collagen layer in TRACER and this enhanced migration occurs independently of proliferation. We show that CAF-enhanced invasion of CAL33 cells is driven by a soluble factor independent mechanism, likely involving CAF mediated ECM remodelling via matrix metalloprotenases (MMPs). Furthermore, we find that CAF-enhanced tumour cell invasion is dependent on the spatial pattern of collagen density within the culture. Our results highlight the utility of the co-culture TRACER platform to explore soluble factor independent interactions between CAFs and tumour cells that drive increased tumour cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Dean
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada.
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43
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A vaccine-based nanosystem for initiating innate immunity and improving tumor immunotherapy. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1985. [PMID: 32332752 PMCID: PMC7181622 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15927-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The unsatisfactory response rate of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy severely limits its clinical application as a tumor therapy. Here, we generate a vaccine-based nanosystem by integrating siRNA for Cd274 into the commercial human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 (HPV16 L1) protein. This nanosystem has good biosafety and enhances the therapeutic response rate of anti-tumor immunotherapy. The HPV16 L1 protein activates innate immunity through the type I interferon pathway and exhibits an efficient anti-cancer effect when cooperating with ICB therapy. For both resectable and unresectable breast tumors, the nanosystem decreases 71% tumor recurrence and extends progression-free survival by 67%. Most importantly, the nanosystem successfully induces high response rates in various genetically modified breast cancer models with different antigen loads. The strong immune stimulation elicited by this vaccine-based nanosystem might constitute an approach to significantly improve current ICB immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy efficacy has still limitations. Here, the authors generate a vaccine that integrates CD274 siRNA into the L1 protein of human papillomavirus, which cooperates with ICB by activating innate immunity in breast cancer models.
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44
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Deka B, Kalita R, Bhatia D, Mishra A. Applications of paper as a support material in biomedical sciences: A decadal review. SENSORS INTERNATIONAL 2020; 1:100004. [PMID: 38620201 PMCID: PMC7144666 DOI: 10.1016/j.sintl.2020.100004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In human history, the paper has long been used as a platform to record and preserve information. However, over the decades, paper has found its application in Biomedical Sciences, too. Both paper-based microfluidic devices (μPADs) and paper-based cultures and scaffolds have shown immense potential to be used as a sensor as well as a supporting material for in vitro tissue engineering. μPADs can be used to perform low-cost and fast biomolecular assays at Point-Of-Care (POC). They are being used to detect various biomarkers like viral proteins, metabolites, oncogenes, and antigens; and conditions like Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). On the other hand, the paper has also been used to develop paper-based 3D cultures and scaffolds to test drugs, and monitor cytotoxic effects in vitro cell microenvironments and also as implantable tissues. In this review, we intend to enumerate the development in the field of μPADs, paper-based cell cultures, and paper-based scaffolds and their plethora of applications over the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bimalendu Deka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, Meghalaya, India
| | - Rima Kalita
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, Meghalaya, India
| | - Dinesh Bhatia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, Meghalaya, India
| | - Animesh Mishra
- Department of Cardiology, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, 793018, Meghalaya, India
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Abstract
The study of cancer metabolism has evolved vastly beyond the remit of tumour proliferation and survival with the identification of the role of 'oncometabolites' in tumorigenesis. Simply defined, oncometabolites are conventional metabolites that, when aberrantly accumulated, have pro-oncogenic functions. Their discovery has led researchers to revisit the Warburg hypothesis, first postulated in the 1950s, of aberrant metabolism as an aetiological determinant of cancer. As such, the identification of oncometabolites and their utilization in diagnostics and prognostics, as novel therapeutic targets and as biomarkers of disease, are areas of considerable interest in oncology. To date, fumarate, succinate, L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L-2-HG) and D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HG) have been characterized as bona fide oncometabolites. Extensive metabolic reprogramming occurs during tumour initiation and progression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and three oncometabolites - fumarate, succinate and L-2-HG - have been implicated in this disease process. All of these oncometabolites inhibit a superfamily of enzymes known as α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, leading to epigenetic dysregulation and induction of pseudohypoxic phenotypes, and also have specific pro-oncogenic capabilities. Oncometabolites could potentially be exploited for the development of novel targeted therapies and as biomarkers of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cissy Yong
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Grant D Stewart
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Christian Frezza
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
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47
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Silva-Almeida C, Ewart MA, Wilde C. 3D gastrointestinal models and organoids to study metabolism in human colon cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 98:98-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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48
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Blatchley MR, Gerecht S. Reconstructing the Vascular Developmental Milieu In Vitro. Trends Cell Biol 2020; 30:15-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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49
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Tobias F, McIntosh JC, LaBonia GJ, Boyce MW, Lockett MR, Hummon AB. Developing a Drug Screening Platform: MALDI-Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Paper-Based Cultures. Anal Chem 2019; 91:15370-15376. [PMID: 31755703 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Many potential chemotherapeutics fail to reach patients. One of the key reasons is that compounds are tested during the drug discovery stage in two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, which are often unable to accurately model in vivo outcomes. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro tumor models are more predictive of chemotherapeutic effectiveness than 2D cultures, and thus, their implementation during the drug screening stage has the potential to more accurately evaluate compounds earlier, saving both time and money. Paper-based cultures (PBCs) are an emerging 3D culture platform in which cells suspended in Matrigel are seeded into paper scaffolds and cultured to generate a tissue-like environment. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging with PBCs (MALDI-MSI-PBC) as a drug screening platform. This method discriminated regions of the PBCs with and without cells and/or drugs, indicating that coupling PBCs with MALDI-MSI has the potential to develop rapid, large-scale, and parallel mass spectrometric drug screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tobias
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210-1132 , United States
| | - Julie C McIntosh
- Department of Chemistry , The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Gabriel J LaBonia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Harper Cancer Research Institute , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46556 , United States
| | - Matthew W Boyce
- Department of Chemistry , The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Matthew R Lockett
- Department of Chemistry , The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Amanda B Hummon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210-1132 , United States
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50
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De Jaeghere EA, Denys HG, De Wever O. Fibroblasts Fuel Immune Escape in the Tumor Microenvironment. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:704-723. [PMID: 31735289 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Immune escape is central to the persistence of most, if not all, solid tumors and poses a critical obstacle to successful cancer (immuno)therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute the most prevalent, yet heterogeneous, component of the tumor stroma, where they 'cool down' the immune microenvironment. The central role played by CAFs, both as a physical barrier and source of immunosuppressive molecules, sets them as a target to enhance immunotherapy of cancer. We outline the current understanding of how CAFs fuel immune escape, as well as their potential clinical applications. Whether these therapeutics really have clinically significant activity remains to be seen, but the outlook is positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiel A De Jaeghere
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Gynecologic Pelvic Oncology Network Ghent (GYPON), Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannelore G Denys
- Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Gynecologic Pelvic Oncology Network Ghent (GYPON), Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Gynecologic Pelvic Oncology Network Ghent (GYPON), Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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