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Teixeira Polez R, Huynh N, Pridgeon CS, Valle-Delgado JJ, Harjumäki R, Österberg M. Insights into spheroids formation in cellulose nanofibrils and Matrigel hydrogels using AFM-based techniques. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101065. [PMID: 38706731 PMCID: PMC11066555 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent FDA decision to eliminate animal testing requirements emphasises the role of cell models, such as spheroids, as regulatory test alternatives for investigations of cellular behaviour, drug responses, and disease modelling. The influence of environment on spheroid formation are incompletely understood, leading to uncertainty in matrix selection for scaffold-based 3D culture. This study uses atomic force microscopy-based techniques to quantify cell adhesion to Matrigel and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), and cell-cell adhesion forces, and their role in spheroid formation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS(IMR90)-4). Results showed different cell behaviour in CNF and Matrigel cultures. Both cell lines formed compact spheroids in CNF but loose cell aggregates in Matrigel. Interestingly, the type of cell adhesion protein, and not the bond strength, appeared to be a key factor in the formation of compact spheroids. The gene expression of E- and N-cadherins, proteins on cell membrane responsible for cell-cell interactions, was increased in CNF culture, leading to formation of compact spheroids while Matrigel culture induced integrin-laminin binding and downregulated E-cadherin expression, resulting in looser cell aggregates. These findings enhance our understanding of cell-biomaterial interactions in 3D cultures and offer insights for improved 3D cell models, culture biomaterials, and applications in drug research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Teixeira Polez
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ngoc Huynh
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Chris S. Pridgeon
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juan José Valle-Delgado
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Riina Harjumäki
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Monika Österberg
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
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2
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Rakhmatullina AR, Zolotykh MA, Filina YV, Mingaleeva RN, Sagdeeva AR, Boulygina EA, Gafurbaeva DU, Bulatov ER, Rizvanov AA, Miftakhova RR. Development of a novel prostate Cancer-Stroma Sphere (CSS) model for In Vitro tumor microenvironment studies. Transl Oncol 2024; 44:101930. [PMID: 38520912 PMCID: PMC10981155 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101930] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor employs non-cancerous cells to gain beneficial features that promote growth and survival of cancer cells. Despite intensive research in the area of tumor microenvironment, there is still a lack of reliable and reproducible in vitro model for tumor and tumor-microenvironment cell interaction studies. Herein we report the successful development of a heterogeneous cancer-stroma sphere (CSS) model composed of prostate adenocarcinoma PC3 cells and immortalized mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The CSS model demonstrated a structured spatial layout of the cells, with stromal cells concentrated at the center of the spheres and tumor cells located on the periphery. Significant increase in the levels of VEGFA, IL-10, and IL1a has been detected in the conditioned media of CSS as compared to PC3 spheres. Single cell RNA sequencing data revealed that VEGFA was secreted by MSC cells within heterogeneous spheroids. Enhanced expression of extracellular membrane (ECM) proteins was also shown for CSS-derived MSCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the multicellular architecture altered cancer cell response to chemotherapeutic agents: the inhibition of sphere formation by topotecan was 74.92 ± 4.56 % for PC3 spheres and 45.95 ± 7.84 % for CSS spheres (p < 0.01), docetaxel showed 37,51± 20,88 % and 15,67± 14,08 % inhibition, respectively (p < 0.05). Thus, CSS present an effective in vitro model for examining the extracellular matrix composition and cell-to-cell interactions within the tumor, as well as for evaluating the antitumor activity of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aigul R Rakhmatullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Maria A Zolotykh
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Yulia V Filina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Rimma N Mingaleeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Aisylu R Sagdeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Eugenia A Boulygina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Dina U Gafurbaeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Emil R Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Albert A Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; Division of Medical and Biological Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, 420013, Kazan, Russia; I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz state medical academy, 720020, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Regina R Miftakhova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia.
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3
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Kim S, Lam PY, Jayaraman A, Han A. Uniform sized cancer spheroids production using hydrogel-based droplet microfluidics: a review. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:26. [PMID: 38806765 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00712-3] [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] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been extensively utilized in various mechanistic studies as well as for drug development studies as superior in vitro platforms than conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models. This is especially the case in cancer biology, where 3D cancer models, such as spheroids or organoids, have been utilized extensively to understand the mechanisms of cancer development. Recently, many sophisticated 3D models such as organ-on-a-chip models are emerging as advanced in vitro models that can more accurately mimic the in vivo tissue functions. Despite such advancements, spheroids are still considered as a powerful 3D cancer model due to the relatively simple structure and compatibility with existing laboratory instruments, and also can provide orders of magnitude higher throughput than complex in vitro models, an extremely important aspects for drug development. However, creating well-defined spheroids remain challenging, both in terms of throughputs in generation as well as reproducibility in size and shape that can make it challenging for drug testing applications. In the past decades, droplet microfluidics utilizing hydrogels have been highlighted due to their potentials. Importantly, core-shell structured gel droplets can avoid spheroid-to-spheroid adhesion that can cause large variations in assays while also enabling long-term cultivation of spheroids with higher uniformity by protecting the core organoid area from external environment while the outer porous gel layer still allows nutrient exchange. Hence, core-shell gel droplet-based spheroid formation can improve the predictivity and reproducibility of drug screening assays. This review paper will focus on droplet microfluidics-based technologies for cancer spheroid production using various gel materials and structures. In addition, we will discuss emerging technologies that have the potential to advance the production of spheroids, prospects of such technologies, and remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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4
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Velankar KY, Liu W, Hartmeier PR, Veleke SR, Reddy GA, Clegg B, Gawalt ES, Fan Y, Meng WS. Fibril-Guided Three-Dimensional Assembly of Human Fibroblastic Reticular Cells. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 38805413 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00331] [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: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are stromal cells (SCs) that can be isolated from lymph node (LN) biopsies. Studies have shown that these nonhematopoietic cells have the capacity to shape and regulate adaptive immunity and can become a form of personalized cell therapy. Successful translational efforts, however, require the cells to be formulated as injectable units, with their native architecture preserved. The intrinsic reticular organization of FRCs, however, is lost in the monolayer cultures. Organizing FRCs into three-dimensional (3D) clusters would recapitulate their structural and functional attributes. Herein, we report a scaffolding method based on the self-assembling peptide (SAP) EAKII biotinylated at the N-terminus (EAKbt). Cross-linking with avidin transformed the EAKbt fibrils into a dense network of coacervates. The combined forces of fibrillization and bioaffinity interactions in the cross-linked EAKbt likely drove the cells into a cohesive 3D reticula. This facile method of generating clustered FRCs (clFRCs) can be completed within 10 days. In vitro clFRCs attracted the infiltration of T cells and rendered an immunosuppressive milieu in the cocultures. These results demonstrate the potential of clFRCs as a method for stromal cell delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketki Y Velankar
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Wen Liu
- Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15212, United States
| | - Paul R Hartmeier
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Samuel R Veleke
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Gayathri Aparnasai Reddy
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Benjamin Clegg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Ellen S Gawalt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yong Fan
- Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15212, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Wilson S Meng
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15282, United States
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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5
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Troncoso-Afonso L, Vinnacombe-Willson GA, García-Astrain C, Liz-Márzan LM. SERS in 3D cell models: a powerful tool in cancer research. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:5118-5148. [PMID: 38607302 PMCID: PMC11104264 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs01049j] [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] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tumoral processes is fundamental for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this regard, three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell models more realistically mimic tumors compared to conventional 2D cell cultures and are more attractive for performing such studies. Nonetheless, the analysis of such architectures is challenging because most available techniques are destructive, resulting in the loss of biochemical information. On the contrary, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a non-invasive analytical tool that can record the structural fingerprint of molecules present in complex biological environments. The implementation of SERS in 3D cancer models can be leveraged to track therapeutics, the production of cancer-related metabolites, different signaling and communication pathways, and to image the different cellular components and structural features. In this review, we highlight recent progress in the use of SERS for the evaluation of cancer diagnosis and therapy in 3D tumoral models. We outline strategies for the delivery and design of SERS tags and shed light on the possibilities this technique offers for studying different cellular processes, through either biosensing or bioimaging modalities. Finally, we address current challenges and future directions, such as overcoming the limitations of SERS and the need for the development of user-friendly and robust data analysis methods. Continued development of SERS 3D bioimaging and biosensing systems, techniques, and analytical strategies, can provide significant contributions for early disease detection, novel cancer therapies, and the realization of patient-tailored medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Troncoso-Afonso
- BioNanoPlasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Gail A Vinnacombe-Willson
- BioNanoPlasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Clara García-Astrain
- BioNanoPlasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Paseo de Miramón 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Luis M Liz-Márzan
- BioNanoPlasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Paseo de Miramón 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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6
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Badea MA, Balas M, Ionita D, Dinischiotu A. Carbon nanotubes conjugated with cisplatin activate different apoptosis signaling pathways in 2D and 3D-spheroid triple-negative breast cancer cell cultures: a comparative study. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03779-2. [PMID: 38739308 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03779-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The type of experimental model for the in vitro testing of drug formulations efficiency represents an important tool in cancer biology, with great attention being granted to three-dimensional (3D) cultures as these offer a closer approximation of the clinical sensitivity of drugs. In this study, the effects induced by carboxyl-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes complexed with cisplatin (SWCNT-COOH-CDDP) and free components (SWCNT-COOH and CDDP) were compared between conventional 2D- and 3D-spheroid cultures of human breast cancer cells. The 2D and 3D breast cancer cultures were exposed to various doses of SWCNT-COOH (0.25-2 μg/mL), CDDP (0.158-1.26 μg/mL) and the same doses of SWNCT-COOH-CDDP complex for 24 and 48 h. The anti-tumor activity, including modulation of cell viability, oxidative stress, proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion potential, was explored by spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods, immunoblotting, optical and fluorescence microscopy. The SWCNT-COOH-CDDP complex proved to have high anti-cancer efficiency on 2D and 3D cultures by inhibiting cell proliferation and activating cell death. A dose of 0.632 μg/mL complex triggered different pathways of apoptosis in 2D and 3D cultures, by intrinsic, extrinsic, and reticulum endoplasmic pathways. Overall, the 2D cultures showed higher susceptibility to the action of complex compared to 3D cultures and SWCNT-COOH-CDDP proved enhanced anti-tumoral activity compared to free CDDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Andreea Badea
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), University of Bucharest, 90-92 Sos. Panduri, 050663, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Balas
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Daniela Ionita
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Department of General Chemistry, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Dinischiotu
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania
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7
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Angeli C, Wroblewska JP, Klein E, Margue C, Kreis S. Protocol to generate scaffold-free, multicomponent 3D melanoma spheroid models for preclinical drug testing. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103058. [PMID: 38748881 PMCID: PMC11109877 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) models play an increasingly important role in preclinical drug testing as they faithfully mimic interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we present a protocol for generating scaffold-free 3D multicomponent human melanoma spheroids. We describe steps for characterizing models using live-cell imaging and histology, followed by drug testing and assessment of cell death through various techniques such as imaging, luminescence-based assays, and flow cytometry. Finally, we demonstrate the models' adaptability for co-cultures with immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Angeli
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | | | - Eliane Klein
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | - Christiane Margue
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Stephanie Kreis
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
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8
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Busch C, Nyamondo K, Wheadon H. Complexities of modeling the bone marrow microenvironment to facilitate hematopoietic research. Exp Hematol 2024:104233. [PMID: 38740324 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow (BM), within a specialized microenvironment referred to as the stem cell niche, where the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside and are regulated for quiescence, self-renewal and differentiation through intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. The BM contains at least two distinctive HSC-supportive niches: an endosteal osteoblastic niche that supports quiescence and self-renewal and a more vascular/perisinusoidal niche that promotes proliferation and differentiation. Both associate with supporting mesenchymal stromal cells. Within the more hypoxic osteoblastic niche, HSCs specifically interact with the osteoblasts that line the endosteal surface, which secrete several important HSC quiescence and maintenance regulatory factors. In vivo imaging indicates that the HSCs and progenitors located further away, in the vicinity of sinusoidal endothelial cells, are more proliferative. Here, HSCs interact with endothelial cells via specific cell adhesion molecules. Endothelial cells also secrete several factors important for HSC homeostasis and proliferation. In addition, HSCs and mesenchymal stromal cells are embedded within the extracellular matrix (ECM), an important network of proteins such as collagen, elastin, laminin, proteoglycans, vitronectin, and fibronectin. The ECM provides mechanical characteristics such as stiffness and elasticity important for cell behavior regulation. ECM proteins are also able to bind, sequester, display, and distribute growth factors across the BM, thus directly affecting stem cell fate and regulation of hematopoiesis. These important physical and chemical features of the BM require careful consideration when creating three-dimensional models of the BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Busch
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kudzai Nyamondo
- Wellcome-Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Wheadon
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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9
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Ahmad Zawawi SS, Salleh EA, Musa M. Spheroids and organoids derived from colorectal cancer as tools for in vitro drug screening. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:409-431. [PMID: 38745769 PMCID: PMC11090692 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture employing cell lines was developed to study the molecular properties of CRC in vitro. Although these cell lines which are isolated from the tumor niche in which cancer develop, the translation to human model such as studying drug response is often hindered by the inability of cell lines to recapture original tumor features and the lack of heterogeneous clinical tumors represented by this 2D model, differed from in vivo condition. These limitations which may be overcome by utilizing three-dimensional (3D) culture consisting of spheroids and organoids. Over the past decade, great advancements have been made in optimizing culture method to establish spheroids and organoids of solid tumors including of CRC for multiple purposes including drug screening and establishing personalized medicine. These structures have been proven to be versatile and robust models to study CRC progression and deciphering its heterogeneity. This review will describe on advances in 3D culture technology and the application as well as the challenges of CRC-derived spheroids and organoids as a mode to screen for anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elyn Amiela Salleh
- Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
| | - Marahaini Musa
- Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
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10
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Gaebler D, Hachey SJ, Hughes CCW. Microphysiological systems as models for immunologically 'cold' tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1389012. [PMID: 38711620 PMCID: PMC11070549 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1389012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a diverse milieu of cells including cancerous and non-cancerous cells such as fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells and immune cells. The intricate cellular interactions within the TME hold a central role in shaping the dynamics of cancer progression, influencing pivotal aspects such as tumor initiation, growth, invasion, response to therapeutic interventions, and the emergence of drug resistance. In immunologically 'cold' tumors, the TME is marked by a scarcity of infiltrating immune cells, limited antigen presentation in the absence of potent immune-stimulating signals, and an abundance of immunosuppressive factors. While strategies targeting the TME as a therapeutic avenue in 'cold' tumors have emerged, there is a pressing need for novel approaches that faithfully replicate the complex cellular and non-cellular interactions in order to develop targeted therapies that can effectively stimulate immune responses and improve therapeutic outcomes in patients. Microfluidic devices offer distinct advantages over traditional in vitro 3D co-culture models and in vivo animal models, as they better recapitulate key characteristics of the TME and allow for precise, controlled insights into the dynamic interplay between various immune, stromal and cancerous cell types at any timepoint. This review aims to underscore the pivotal role of microfluidic systems in advancing our understanding of the TME and presents current microfluidic model systems that aim to dissect tumor-stromal, tumor-immune and immune-stromal cellular interactions in various 'cold' tumors. Understanding the intricacies of the TME in 'cold' tumors is crucial for devising effective targeted therapies to reinvigorate immune responses and overcome the challenges of current immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gaebler
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie J. Hachey
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Christopher C. W. Hughes
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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11
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Puertas-Bartolomé M, Venegas-Bustos D, Acosta S, Rodríguez-Cabello JC. Contribution of the ELRs to the development of advanced in vitro models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1363865. [PMID: 38650751 PMCID: PMC11033926 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1363865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing in vitro models that accurately mimic the microenvironment of biological structures or processes holds substantial promise for gaining insights into specific biological functions. In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in vitro models able to capture the precise structural, topographical, and functional complexity of living tissues, prove to be valuable tools for comprehending disease mechanisms, assessing drug responses, and serving as alternatives or complements to animal testing. The choice of the right biomaterial and fabrication technique for the development of these in vitro models plays an important role in their functionality. In this sense, elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) have emerged as an important tool for the fabrication of in vitro models overcoming the challenges encountered in natural and synthetic materials due to their intrinsic properties, such as phase transition behavior, tunable biological properties, viscoelasticity, and easy processability. In this review article, we will delve into the use of ELRs for molecular models of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), as well as for the development of in vitro 3D models for regenerative medicine. The easy processability of the ELRs and their rational design has allowed their use for the development of spheroids and organoids, or bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Thus, incorporating ELRs into the toolkit of biomaterials used for the fabrication of in vitro models, represents a transformative step forward in improving the accuracy, efficiency, and functionality of these models, and opening up a wide range of possibilities in combination with advanced biofabrication techniques that remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Puertas-Bartolomé
- Technical Proteins Nanobiotechnology, S.L. (TPNBT), Valladolid, Spain
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Desiré Venegas-Bustos
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sergio Acosta
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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12
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Wang X, Li F, Wu S, Xing W, Fu J, Wang R, He Y. Research progress on optimization of in vitro isolation, cultivation and preservation methods of dental pulp stem cells for clinical application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1305614. [PMID: 38633667 PMCID: PMC11021638 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1305614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to high proliferative capacity, multipotent differentiation, immunomodulatory abilities, and lack of ethical concerns, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are promising candidates for clinical application. Currently, clinical research on DPSCs is in its early stages. The reason for the failure to obtain clinically effective results may be problems with the production process of DPSCs. Due to the different preparation methods and reagent formulations of DPSCs, cell characteristics may be affected and lead to inconsistent experimental results. Preparation of clinical-grade DPSCs is far from ready. To achieve clinical application, it is essential to transit the manufacturing of stem cells from laboratory grade to clinical grade. This review compares and analyzes experimental data on optimizing the preparation methods of DPSCs from extraction to resuscitation, including research articles, invention patents and clinical trials. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods and potential clinical applications are discussed, and factors that could improve the quality of DPSCs for clinical application are proposed. The aim is to summarize the current manufacture of DPSCs in the establishment of a standardized, reliable, safe, and economic method for future preparation of clinical-grade cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fenyao Li
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuting Wu
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenbo Xing
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiao Fu
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruoxuan Wang
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan He
- Institute of Regenerative and Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- First Clinical College of the Ministry of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Nguyen TT, Nguyen HN, Nghiem THL, Do XH, To TT, Do TXP, Do DL, Nguyen HG, Nguyen HM, Nguyen ND, Luu MQ, Nguyen TN, Nguyen TBN, Nguyen VT, Pham VT, Than UTT, Hoang TMN. High biocompatible FITC-conjugated silica nanoparticles for cell labeling in both in vitro and in vivo models. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6969. [PMID: 38521815 PMCID: PMC10960792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55600-w] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence nanosilica-based cell tracker has been explored and applied in cell biological research. However, the aggregation of these nanoparticles at physiological pH is still the main limitation. In this research, we introduced a novel fluorescence nano-based cell tracker suitable for application in live cells. The silica-coated fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer (FITC-SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were modified with carboxymethylsilanetriol disodium salt (FITC-SiO2-COOH), integrating the dianion form of FITC molecules. This nanosystem exhibited superior dispersion in aqueous solutions and effectively mitigated dye leakage. These labeled NPs displayed notable biocompatibility and minimal cytotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Significantly, the NPs did not have negative implications on cell migration or angiogenesis. They successfully penetrated primary fibroblasts, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HeLa cells in both 2D and 3D cultures, with the fluorescence signal enduring for over 72 h. Furthermore, the NP signals were consistently observed in the developing gastrointestinal tract of live medaka fish larvae for extended periods during phases of subdued digestive activity, without manifesting any apparent acute toxicity. These results underscore the promising utility of FITC-SiO2-COOH NPs as advanced live cell trackers in biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Thuy Nguyen
- Center for Quantum and Electronics, Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Nam Nguyen
- Nano and Energy Center, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Ha Lien Nghiem
- Center for Quantum and Electronics, Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Xuan-Hai Do
- Department of Practical and Experimental Surgery, Vietnam Military Medical University, 160 Phung Hung Street, Phuc La, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Thuy To
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Thi Xuan Phuong Do
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Dieu Linh Do
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Huong Giang Nguyen
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Huy Manh Nguyen
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Dinh Nguyen
- Faculty of Physics, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Manh Quynh Luu
- Faculty of Physics, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Trong Nghia Nguyen
- Center for Quantum and Electronics, Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Bich Ngoc Nguyen
- Center for Quantum and Electronics, Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Toan Nguyen
- Center for Quantum and Electronics, Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Van Thanh Pham
- Faculty of Physics, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Uyen Thi Trang Than
- Vinmec Hi-Tech Center and Vinmec-VinUni Institute of Immunology, Vinmec Healthcare System, 458 Minh Khai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi My Nhung Hoang
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam.
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14
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Herger N, Heggli I, Mengis T, Devan J, Arpesella L, Brunner F, Distler O, Dudli S. Impacts of priming on distinct immunosuppressive mechanisms of mesenchymal stromal cells under translationally relevant conditions. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:65. [PMID: 38443999 PMCID: PMC10916130 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03677-5] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The multimodal properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), particularly their ability to modulate immune responses is of high interest in translational research. Pro-inflammatory, hypoxic, and 3D culture priming are promising and often used strategies to improve the immunosuppressive potency of MSCs, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, the aims of this study were (i) to compare the effects of pro-inflammatory, hypoxic, and 3D culture priming on the in vitro immunosuppressive potential of MSCs, (ii) to assess if immunosuppressive priming effects are temporally preserved under standard and translationally relevant culture conditions, and (iii) to investigate if the three priming strategies engage the same immunosuppressive mechanisms. METHODS Functional in vitro T cell suppressive potency measurements were conducted to assess the impact of pro-inflammatory, hypoxic, and 3D culture priming on the immunosuppressive potential of human bone marrow-derived MSCs. Primed MSCs were either cultured under standard cell culture conditions or translationally relevant culture conditions, and their transcriptomic adaptations were monitored over time. Next-generation sequencing was performed to assess if different priming strategies activate distinct immunosuppressive mechanisms. RESULTS (i) Pro-inflammatory, hypoxic, and 3D culture priming induced profound transcriptomic changes in MSCs resulting in a significantly enhanced T cell suppressive potential of pro-inflammatory and 3D culture primed MSCs. (ii) Priming effects rapidly faded under standard cell culture conditions but were partially preserved under translationally relevant conditions. Interestingly, continuous 3D culture priming of MSCs maintained the immunosuppressive potency of MSCs. (iii) Next-generation sequencing revealed that priming strategy-specific differentially expressed genes are involved in the T cell suppressive capacity of MSCs, indicating that different priming strategies engage distinct immunosuppressive mechanisms. CONCLUSION Priming can be a useful approach to improve the immunosuppressive potency of MSCs. However, future studies involving primed MSCs should carefully consider the significant impact of translationally relevant conditions on the preservation of priming effects. Continuous 3D culture could act as a functionalized formulation, supporting the administration of MSC spheroids for a sustainably improved immunosuppressive potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Herger
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Irina Heggli
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Mengis
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Devan
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Arpesella
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Florian Brunner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Distler
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Dudli
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Murphy DA, Osteicochea D, Atkins A, Sannes C, McClarnon Z, Adjei IM. Optimizing Oxygen-Production Kinetics of Manganese Dioxide Nanoparticles Improves Hypoxia Reversal and Survival in Mice with Bone Metastases. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:1125-1136. [PMID: 38365202 PMCID: PMC10979454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00671] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Persistent hypoxia in bone metastases induces an immunosuppressive environment, limiting the effectiveness of immunotherapies. To address chronic hypoxia, we have developed manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles with tunable oxygen production kinetics for sustained oxygenation in bone metastases lesions. Using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-stabilized MnO2 or poly(lactic[50]-co-glycolic[50] acid) (50:50 PLGA), poly(lactic[75]-co-glycolic[25] acid) (75:25 PLGA), and polylactic acid (PLA)-encapsulated MnO2 NPs, we demonstrate that polymer hydrophobicity attenuates burst oxygen production and enables tunable oxygen production kinetics. The PEG-MnO2 NPs resulted in rapid hypoxia reduction in spheroids, which was rapidly attenuated, while the PLA-MnO2 NPs exhibited delayed hypoxia control in cancer spheroids. The 50:50 PLGA-MnO2 NPs exhibited the best short- and long-term control of hypoxia in cancer spheroids, resulting in sustained regulation of the expression of HIF-1α and immunosuppressive genes. The sustained control of hypoxia by the 50:50 PLGA-MnO2 NPs enhanced the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells against cancer spheroids. In vivo, 50:50 PLGA-MnO2 showed greater accumulation in the long bones and pelvis, common sites for bone metastases. The NPs decreased hypoxia in bone metastases and decreased regulatory T cell levels, resulting in enhanced survival of mice with established bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Daniela Osteicochea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Aidan Atkins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Caitlin Sannes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Zachary McClarnon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Isaac M Adjei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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16
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Xie X, Sauer F, Grosser S, Lippoldt J, Warmt E, Das A, Bi D, Fuhs T, Käs JA. Effect of non-linear strain stiffening in eDAH and unjamming. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1996-2007. [PMID: 38323652 PMCID: PMC10900305 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00630a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
In cell clusters, the prominent factors at play encompass contractility-based enhanced tissue surface tension and cell unjamming transition. The former effect pertains to the boundary effect, while the latter constitutes a bulk effect. Both effects share outcomes of inducing significant elongation in cells. This elongation is so substantial that it surpasses the limits of linear elasticity, thereby giving rise to additional effects. To investigate these effects, we employ atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyze how the mechanical properties of individual cells change under such considerable elongation. Our selection of cell lines includes MCF-10A, chosen for its pronounced demonstration of the extended differential adhesion hypothesis (eDAH), and MDA-MB-436, selected due to its manifestation of cell unjamming behavior. In the AFM analyses, we observe a common trend in both cases: as elongation increases, both cell lines exhibit strain stiffening. Notably, this effect is more prominent in MCF-10A compared to MDA-MB-436. Subsequently, we employ AFM on a dynamic range of 1-200 Hz to probe the mechanical characteristics of cell spheroids, focusing on both surface and bulk mechanics. Our findings align with the results from single cell investigations. Specifically, MCF-10A cells, characterized by strong contractile tissue tension, exhibit the greatest stiffness on their surface. Conversely, MDA-MB-436 cells, which experience significant elongation, showcase their highest stiffness within the bulk region. Consequently, the concept of single cell strain stiffening emerges as a crucial element in understanding the mechanics of multicellular spheroids (MCSs), even in the case of MDA-MB-436 cells, which are comparatively softer in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Xie
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Frank Sauer
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Steffen Grosser
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Lippoldt
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Enrico Warmt
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Amit Das
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Fuhs
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Josef A Käs
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
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17
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Boscaro D, Sikorski P. Spheroids as a 3D in vitro model to study bone and bone mineralization. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 157:213727. [PMID: 38101067 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Traumas, fractures, and diseases can severely influence bone tissue. Insight into bone mineralization is essential for the development of therapies and new strategies to enhance bone regeneration. 3D cell culture systems, in particular cellular spheroids, have gained a lot of interest as they can recapitulate crucial aspects of the in vivo tissue microenvironment, such as the extensive cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions found in tissue. The potential of combining spheroids and various classes of biomaterials opens also new opportunities for research within bone tissue engineering. Characterizing cellular organization, ECM structure, and ECM mineralization is a fundamental step for understanding the biological processes involved in bone tissue formation in a spheroid-based model system. Still, many experimental techniques used in this field of research are optimized for use with monolayer cell cultures. There is thus a need to develop new and improving existing experimental techniques, for applications in 3D cell culture systems. In this review, bone composition and spheroids properties are described. This is followed by an insight into the techniques that are currently used in bone spheroids research and how these can be used to study bone mineralization. We discuss the application of staining techniques used with optical and confocal fluorescence microscopy, molecular biology techniques, second harmonic imaging microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and microscopy, as well as electron microscopy-based techniques, to evaluate osteogenic differentiation, collagen production and mineral deposition. Challenges in the applications of these methods in bone regeneration and bone tissue engineering are described. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 3D cell cultures have gained a lot of interest in the last decades as a possible technique that can be used to recreate in vitro in vivo biological process. The importance of 3D environment during bone mineralization led scientists to use this cell culture to study this biological process, to obtain a better understanding of the events involved. New and improved techniques are also required for a proper analysis of this cell model and the process under investigation. This review summarizes the state of the art of the techniques used to study bone mineralization and how 3D cell cultures, in particular spheroids, are tested and analysed to obtain better resolved results related to this complex biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diamante Boscaro
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, Trondheim 7034, Norway.
| | - Pawel Sikorski
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, Trondheim 7034, Norway.
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18
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Rodrigues DB, Reis RL, Pirraco RP. Modelling the complex nature of the tumor microenvironment: 3D tumor spheroids as an evolving tool. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:13. [PMID: 38254117 PMCID: PMC10804490 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-00997-9] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a serious burden in society and while the pace in the development of novel and more effective therapeutics is increasing, testing platforms that faithfully mimic the tumor microenvironment are lacking. With a clear shift from animal models to more complex in vitro 3D systems, spheroids emerge as strong options in this regard. Years of development have allowed spheroid-based models to better reproduce the biomechanical cues that are observed in the tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular interactions that occur in both a cell-cell and cell-ECM manner. Here, we summarize some of the key cellular interactions that drive tumor development, progression and invasion, and how successfully are these interactions recapitulated in 3D spheroid models currently in use in the field. We finish by speculating on future advancements in the field and on how these can shape the relevance of spherical 3D models for tumor modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Rodrigues
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal.
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19
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Marakhova II, Yurinskaya VE, Domnina AP. The Role of Intracellular Potassium in Cell Quiescence, Proliferation, and Death. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:884. [PMID: 38255956 PMCID: PMC10815214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020884] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This brief review explores the role of intracellular K+ during the transition of cells from quiescence to proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. We focus on the relationship between intracellular K+ and the growth and proliferation rates of different cells, including transformed cells in culture as well as human quiescent T cells and mesenchymal stem cells, and analyze the concomitant changes in K+ and water content in both proliferating and apoptotic cells. Evidence is discussed indicating that during the initiation of cell proliferation and apoptosis changes in the K+ content in cells occur in parallel with changes in water content and therefore do not lead to significant changes in the intracellular K+ concentration. We conclude that K+, as a dominant intracellular ion, is involved in the regulation of cell volume during the transit from quiescence, and the content of K+ and water in dividing cells is higher than in quiescent or differentiated cells, which can be considered to be a hallmark of cell proliferation and transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina I. Marakhova
- Department of Intracellular Signalling and Transport, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Avenue 4, 194064 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Valentina E. Yurinskaya
- Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Avenue 4, 194064 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alisa P. Domnina
- Department of Intracellular Signalling and Transport, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Avenue 4, 194064 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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20
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Yang GD, Ma DS, Ma CY, Bai Y. Research Progress on Cardiac Tissue Construction of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Myocardial Infarction. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:942-958. [PMID: 37612870 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230823091017] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure is still the main complication affecting the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an effective treatment to replace necrotic myocardium and improve cardiac functioning. However, the transplant survival rate of MSCs still presents challenges. In this review, the biological characteristics of MSCs, the progress of mechanism research in the treatment of myocardial infarction, and the advances in improving the transplant survival rate of MSCs in the replacement of necrotic myocardial infarction are systematically described. From a basic to advanced clinical research, MSC transplants have evolved from a pure injection, an exosome injection, the genetic modification of MSCs prior to injection to the cardiac tissue engineering of MSC patch grafting. This study shows that MSCs have wide clinical applications in the treatment of AMI, suggesting improved myocardial tissue creation. A broader clinical application prospect will be explored and developed to improve the survival rate of MSC transplants and myocardial vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Dong Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Da-Shi Ma
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Chun-Ye Ma
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
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21
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Xie R, Pal V, Yu Y, Lu X, Gao M, Liang S, Huang M, Peng W, Ozbolat IT. A comprehensive review on 3D tissue models: Biofabrication technologies and preclinical applications. Biomaterials 2024; 304:122408. [PMID: 38041911 PMCID: PMC10843844 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122408] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
The limitations of traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal testing, when it comes to precisely foreseeing the toxicity and clinical effectiveness of potential drug candidates, have resulted in a notable increase in the rate of failure during the process of drug discovery and development. Three-dimensional (3D) in-vitro models have arisen as substitute platforms with the capacity to accurately depict in-vivo conditions and increasing the predictivity of clinical effects and toxicity of drug candidates. It has been found that 3D models can accurately represent complex tissue structure of human body and can be used for a wide range of disease modeling purposes. Recently, substantial progress in biomedicine, materials and engineering have been made to fabricate various 3D in-vitro models, which have been exhibited better disease progression predictivity and drug effects than convention models, suggesting a promising direction in pharmaceutics. This comprehensive review highlights the recent developments in 3D in-vitro tissue models for preclinical applications including drug screening and disease modeling targeting multiple organs and tissues, like liver, bone, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, heart, brain, and cartilage. We discuss current strategies for fabricating 3D models for specific organs with their strengths and pitfalls. We expand future considerations for establishing a physiologically-relevant microenvironment for growing 3D models and also provide readers with a perspective on intellectual property, industry, and regulatory landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication for Tissue Engineering in Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, 341000, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, China
| | - Vaibhav Pal
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Yanrong Yu
- School of Pharmaceutics, Nanchang University, Nanchang, JX, 330006, China
| | - Xiaolu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication for Tissue Engineering in Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, 341000, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, China
| | - Mengwei Gao
- School of Pharmaceutics, Nanchang University, Nanchang, JX, 330006, China
| | - Shijie Liang
- School of Pharmaceutics, Nanchang University, Nanchang, JX, 330006, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication for Tissue Engineering in Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, 341000, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, China
| | - Weijie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication for Tissue Engineering in Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, 341000, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, JX, China; School of Pharmaceutics, Nanchang University, Nanchang, JX, 330006, China.
| | - Ibrahim T Ozbolat
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA; Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Cukurova University, Adana, 01130, Turkey; Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Cukurova University, Adana, 01130, Turkey.
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22
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Quílez C, Valencia L, González‐Rico J, Suárez‐Cabrera L, Amigo‐Morán L, Jorcano JL, Velasco D. In vitro induction of hair follicle signatures using human dermal papilla cells encapsulated in fibrin microgels. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13528. [PMID: 37539497 PMCID: PMC10771113 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13528] [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] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular spheroids have been described as an appropriate culture system to restore human follicle dermal papilla cells (hFDPc) intrinsic properties; however, they show a low and variable efficiency to promote complete hair follicle formation in in vivo experiments. In this work, a conscientious analysis revealed a 25% cell viability in the surface of the dermal papilla spheroid (DPS) for all culture conditions, questioning whether it is an appropriate culture system for hFDPc. To overcome this problem, we propose the use of human blood plasma for the generation of fibrin microgels (FM) with encapsulated hFDPc to restore its inductive signature, either in the presence or in the absence of blood platelets. FM showed a morphology and extracellular matrix composition similar to the native dermal papilla, including Versican and Collagen IV and increasing cell viability up to 85%. While both systems induce epidermal invaginations expressing hair-specific keratins K14, K15, K71, and K75 in in vitro skin cultures, the number of generated structures increases from 17% to 49% when DPS and FM were used, respectively. These data show the potential of our experimental setting for in vitro hair follicle neogenesis with wild adult hFDPc using FM, being a crucial step in the pursuit of human hair follicle regeneration therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Quílez
- Department of BioengineeringUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez DíazMadridSpain
| | - Leticia Valencia
- Department of BioengineeringUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
| | - Jorge González‐Rico
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural AnalysisUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
| | | | - Lidia Amigo‐Morán
- Department of BioengineeringUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
| | - José Luis Jorcano
- Department of BioengineeringUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
- Instituto De Investigacion Sanitaria Gregorio MarañonMadridSpain
| | - Diego Velasco
- Department of BioengineeringUniversidad Carlos III de MadridLeganésSpain
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez DíazMadridSpain
- Instituto De Investigacion Sanitaria Gregorio MarañonMadridSpain
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23
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Smolinska V, Harsanyi S, Bohac M, Danisovic L. Exploring the Three-Dimensional Frontier: Advancements in MSC Spheroids and Their Implications for Breast Cancer and Personalized Regenerative Therapies. Biomedicines 2023; 12:52. [PMID: 38255159 PMCID: PMC10813175 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
To more accurately replicate the in vivo three-dimensional (3D) mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) niche and enhance cellular phenotypes for superior in vivo treatments, MSC functionalization through in vitro 3D culture approaches has gained attention. The organization of MSCs in 3D spheroids results in altered cell shape, cytoskeleton rearrangement, and polarization. Investigations have revealed that the survival and secretory capability of MSCs are positively impacted by moderate hypoxia within the inner zones of MSC spheroids. The spheroid hypoxic microenvironment enhances the production of angiogenic and anti-apoptotic molecules, including HGF, VEGF, and FGF-2. Furthermore, it upregulates the expression of hypoxia-adaptive molecules such as CXCL12 and HIF-1, inhibiting MSC death. The current review focuses on the latest developments in fundamental and translational research concerning three-dimensional MSC systems. This emphasis extends to the primary benefits and potential applications of MSC spheroids, particularly in the context of breast cancer and customized regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Smolinska
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.S.); (M.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Stefan Harsanyi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.S.); (M.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Martin Bohac
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.S.); (M.B.); (L.D.)
- Regenmed Ltd., Medena 29, 811 02 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.S.); (M.B.); (L.D.)
- Regenmed Ltd., Medena 29, 811 02 Bratislava, Slovakia
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24
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Valente R, Cordeiro S, Luz A, Melo MC, Rodrigues CR, Baptista PV, Fernandes AR. Doxorubicin-sensitive and -resistant colorectal cancer spheroid models: assessing tumor microenvironment features for therapeutic modulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1310397. [PMID: 38188017 PMCID: PMC10771845 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1310397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The research on tumor microenvironment (TME) has recently been gaining attention due to its important role in tumor growth, progression, and response to therapy. Because of this, the development of three-dimensional cancer models that mimic the interactions in the TME and the tumor structure and complexity is of great relevance to cancer research and drug development. Methods: This study aimed to characterize colorectal cancer spheroids overtime and assess how the susceptibility or resistance to doxorubicin (Dox) or the inclusion of fibroblasts in heterotypic spheroids influence and modulate their secretory activity, namely the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the response to Dox-mediated chemotherapy. Different characteristics were assessed over time, namely spheroid growth, viability, presence of hypoxia, expression of hypoxia and inflammation-associated genes and proteins. Due to the importance of EVs in biomarker discovery with impact on early diagnostics, prognostics and response to treatment, proteomic profiling of the EVs released by the different 3D spheroid models was also assessed. Response to treatment was also monitored by assessing Dox internalization and its effects on the different 3D spheroid structures and on the cell viability. Results and Discussion: The results show that distinct features are affected by both Dox resistance and the presence of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts can stabilize spheroid models, through the modulation of their growth, viability, hypoxia and inflammation levels, as well as the expressions of its associated transcripts/proteins, and promotes alterations in the protein profile exhibit by EVs. Summarily, fibroblasts can increase cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, making the heterotypic spheroids a great model to study TME and understand TME role in chemotherapies resistance. Dox resistance induction is shown to influence the internalization of Dox, especially in homotypic spheroids, and it is also shown to influence cell viability and consequently the chemoresistance of those spheroids when exposed to Dox. Taken together these results highlight the importance of finding and characterizing different 3D models resembling more closely the in vivo interactions of tumors with their microenvironment as well as modulating drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Valente
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Sandra Cordeiro
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - André Luz
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Maria C. Melo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Catarina Roma Rodrigues
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro V. Baptista
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Alexandra R. Fernandes
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
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25
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Glazieva VS, Alexandrushkina NA, Nimiritsky PP, Kulebyakina MA, Eremichev RY, Makarevich PI. Extracellular Matrix Deposition Defines the Duration of Cell Sheet Assembly from Human Adipose-Derived MSC. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17050. [PMID: 38069373 PMCID: PMC10707034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell sheet (CS) engineering using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) draws significant interest for regenerative medicine and this approach translates to clinical use for numerous indications. However, little is known of factors that define the timing of CS assembly from primary cultures. This aspect is important for planning CS delivery in autologous and allogeneic modes of use. We used a comparative in vitro approach with primary donors' (n = 14) adipose-derived MSCs and evaluated the impact of healthy subject's sex, MSC culture features (population doubling time and lag-phase), and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition along with factors related to connective tissue formations (α-SMA and FAP-α) on CS assembly duration. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, we found that, in seeded MSCs, high contents of collagen I and collagen IV had a direct correlation with longer CS assembly duration. We found that short lag-phase cultures faster turned to a ready-to-use CS, while age, sex, fibronectin, laminin, α-SMA, and FAP-α failed to provide a significant correlation with the timing of assembly. In detachable CSs, FAP-α was negatively correlated with the duration of assembly, suggesting that its concentration rose over time and contributed to MSC activation, transitioning to α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts and ECM turnover. Preliminary data on cell density and collagen I deposition suggested that the TGF-β1 signaling axis is of pivotal importance for ECM composition and construct maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina S Glazieva
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-10, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Natalya A Alexandrushkina
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-10, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Peter P Nimiritsky
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-10, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Maria A Kulebyakina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Roman Yu Eremichev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-10, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Pavel I Makarevich
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-10, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1, Lomonosovskiy av., Moscow 119192, Russia
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26
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Ge Y, Yang S, Zhang T, Wan X, Zhu Y, Yang F, Yin L, Pu Y, Liang G. The hepatotoxicity assessment of micro/nanoplastics: A preliminary study to apply the adverse outcome pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:165659. [PMID: 37517720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a significant global problem over the years, leading to the continuous decomposition and accumulation of micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment. As a result, human exposure to these MNPLs is inevitable. The liver, in particular, is highly susceptible to potential MNPL toxicity. In this study, we systematically reviewed the current literature on MNPLs-induced hepatotoxicity and collected data on toxic events occurring at different biological levels. Then, to better understand the cause-mechanism causality, we developed an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework for MNPLs-induced hepatotoxicity. The AOP framework provided insights into the mechanism of MNPL-induced hepatotoxicity and highlighted potential health risks such as liver dysfunction and inflammation, metabolism disorders and liver fibrosis. Moreover, we discussed the potential application of emerging toxicological models in the hepatotoxicity study. Liver organoids and liver-on-chips, which can simulate the structure and function of the liver in vitro, offer a promising alternative platform for toxicity testing and risk assessment. We proposed combining the AOP framework with these emerging toxicological models to improve our understanding of the hepatotoxic effects of MNPLs. Overall, this study performed a preliminary exploration of novel toxicological methodologies to assess the hepatotoxicity of MNPLs, providing a deeper understanding of environmental toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Ge
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Xin Wan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards of Hunan Province, School of Basic Medicine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
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27
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Arutyunyan I, Jumaniyazova E, Makarov A, Fatkhudinov T. In Vitro Models of Head and Neck Cancer: From Primitive to Most Advanced. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1575. [PMID: 38003890 PMCID: PMC10672510 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13111575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
For several decades now, researchers have been trying to answer the demand of clinical oncologists to create an ideal preclinical model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that is accessible, reproducible, and relevant. Over the past years, the development of cellular technologies has naturally allowed us to move from primitive short-lived primary 2D cell cultures to complex patient-derived 3D models that reproduce the cellular composition, architecture, mutational, or viral load of native tumor tissue. Depending on the tasks and capabilities, a scientific laboratory can choose from several types of models: primary cell cultures, immortalized cell lines, spheroids or heterospheroids, tissue engineering models, bioprinted models, organoids, tumor explants, and histocultures. HNSCC in vitro models make it possible to screen agents with potential antitumor activity, study the contribution of the tumor microenvironment to its progression and metastasis, determine the prognostic significance of individual biomarkers (including using genetic engineering methods), study the effect of viral infection on the pathogenesis of the disease, and adjust treatment tactics for a specific patient or groups of patients. Promising experimental results have created a scientific basis for the registration of several clinical studies using HNSCC in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Arutyunyan
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, RUDN University, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.); (A.M.); (T.F.)
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 4 Oparina Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Enar Jumaniyazova
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, RUDN University, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.); (A.M.); (T.F.)
| | - Andrey Makarov
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, RUDN University, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.); (A.M.); (T.F.)
- Histology Department, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Timur Fatkhudinov
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, RUDN University, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.); (A.M.); (T.F.)
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, 3 Tsyurupy Street, 117418 Moscow, Russia
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28
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Vasileva VY, Khairullina ZM, Chubinskiy-Nadezhdin VI. Piezo1 Activation Prevents Spheroid Formation by Malignant Melanoma SK-MEL-2 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15703. [PMID: 37958687 PMCID: PMC10648948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115703] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive type of skin cancer produced through the malignant transformation of melanocytes, and it is usually associated with a poor prognosis. Clinically, melanoma has several stages associated with migration and invasion of the cells through the skin's layers, the rapid spreading of cells and the formation of tumors in multiple organs. The main problem is the emergence of resistance in melanoma to the applied methods of treatment; thus, it is of primary importance to find more crucial signaling pathways that control the progression of this type of cancer and could be targeted to prevent melanoma spreading. Here, we uncover novel aspects of the role of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in melanoma tumor formation. Using a combinative approach, we showed the functional expression of mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels in the aggressive human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cell line. We found that chemical activation of Piezo1 by its agonist, Yoda1, prevents melanoma spheroid formation; thus, Piezo1 could be a potential target for selective modulation aimed at the prevention of melanoma development.
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29
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Niwetbowornchai N, Chaisirirat T, Sriswasdi S, Saithong S, Filbertine G, Wright HL, Edwards SW, Virakul S, Chiewchengchol D. Regulation of dermal fibroblasts by human neutrophil peptides. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17499. [PMID: 37840103 PMCID: PMC10577140 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44889-8] [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: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) can induce cell proliferation and activation so their growth promoting activities may have potential clinical benefit. This study investigated the effects of HNPs on human dermal fibroblasts. Differential gene expression in HNP-treated cells and genes involved in regulating intracellular pathways were explored. Dermal fibroblasts were isolated from healthy neonatal foreskin and treated with HNPs in 2D and 3D cell culture systems. The expression of cell proliferation (Ki-67) gene and cell activation (COL1A1) gene plus their proteins was measured. Differential gene expression was determined using RNA-seq, and upregulated and downregulated genes were mapped onto intracellular pathways by KEGG analysis and Gene Ontology databases. HNPs significantly increased cell proliferation without cytotoxicity whilst HNP1 enhanced expression of COL1A1 and type I collagen production in 2D cells and 3D spheroids. RNA-sequencing analysis showed gene clustering with clear separation between HNP1-treated and control groups. A heatmap of top 50 differentially expressed genes was consistent among HNP1-treated samples. Most upregulated genes were associated with cell proliferation and activation as mapped into intracellular pathways whilst most downregulated genes belonged to steroid/arachidonic acid metabolism and inflammatory signaling pathways. HNP1 increased cell proliferation and activation but reduced lipid metabolism and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattarika Niwetbowornchai
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Immunology Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanawat Chaisirirat
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sira Sriswasdi
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supichcha Saithong
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Immunology Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Grace Filbertine
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Immunology Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Helen L Wright
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Steven W Edwards
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sita Virakul
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Immunology Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Direkrit Chiewchengchol
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Immunology Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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30
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Sargenti A, Pasqua S, Leu M, Dionisi L, Filardo G, Grigolo B, Gazzola D, Santi S, Cavallo C. Adipose Stromal Cell Spheroids for Cartilage Repair: A Promising Tool for Unveiling the Critical Maturation Point. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1182. [PMID: 37892912 PMCID: PMC10603958 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Articular cartilage lacks intrinsic regenerative capabilities, and the current treatments fail to regenerate damaged tissue and lead only to temporary pain relief. These limitations have prompted the development of tissue engineering approaches, including 3D culture systems. Thanks to their regenerative properties and capacity to recapitulate embryonic processes, spheroids obtained from mesenchymal stromal cells are increasingly studied as building blocks to obtain functional tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of adipose stromal cells to assemble in spheroids and differentiate toward chondrogenic lineage from the perspective of cartilage repair. Spheroids were generated by two different methods (3D chips vs. Ultra-Low Attachment plates), differentiated towards chondrogenic lineage, and their properties were investigated using molecular biology analyses, biophysical measurement of mass density, weight, and size of spheroids, and confocal imaging. Overall, spheroids showed the ability to differentiate by expressing specific cartilaginous markers that correlate with their mass density, defining a critical point at which they start to mature. Considering the spheroid generation method, this pilot study suggested that spheroids obtained with chips are a promising tool for the generation of cartilage organoids that could be used for preclinical/clinical approaches, including personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azzurra Sargenti
- CellDynamics iSRL, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.S.); (S.P.); (L.D.); (D.G.)
| | - Simone Pasqua
- CellDynamics iSRL, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.S.); (S.P.); (L.D.); (D.G.)
| | - Marco Leu
- abc biopply ag, 4500 Solothurn, Switzerland;
| | - Laura Dionisi
- CellDynamics iSRL, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.S.); (S.P.); (L.D.); (D.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Filardo
- Applied and Translational Research (ATR) Center, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Brunella Grigolo
- Laboratorio RAMSES, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Daniele Gazzola
- CellDynamics iSRL, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.S.); (S.P.); (L.D.); (D.G.)
| | - Spartaco Santi
- Institute of Molecular Genetics “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, Unit of Bologna, CNR, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carola Cavallo
- Laboratorio RAMSES, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
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Nayak P, Bentivoglio V, Varani M, Signore A. Three-Dimensional In Vitro Tumor Spheroid Models for Evaluation of Anticancer Therapy: Recent Updates. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4846. [PMID: 37835541 PMCID: PMC10571930 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced tissue engineering processes and regenerative medicine provide modern strategies for fabricating 3D spheroids. Several different 3D cancer models are being developed to study a variety of cancers. Three-dimensional spheroids can correctly replicate some features of solid tumors (such as the secretion of soluble mediators, drug resistance mechanisms, gene expression patterns and physiological responses) better than 2D cell cultures or animal models. Tumor spheroids are also helpful for precisely reproducing the three-dimensional organization and microenvironmental factors of tumors. Because of these unique properties, the potential of 3D cell aggregates has been emphasized, and they have been utilized in in vitro models for the detection of novel anticancer drugs. This review discusses applications of 3D spheroid models in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell and photodynamic therapy and also discusses the establishment of the anticancer activity of nanocarriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Nayak
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital Sant’Andrea, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Roma, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (A.S.)
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32
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Hao S, Wang M, Yin Z, Jing Y, Bai L, Su J. Microenvironment-targeted strategy steers advanced bone regeneration. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100741. [PMID: 37576867 PMCID: PMC10413201 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of large bone defects represents a great challenge in orthopedic and craniomaxillofacial surgery. Traditional strategies in bone tissue engineering have focused primarily on mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) of bone in terms of structure and composition. However, the synergistic effects of other cues from the microenvironment during bone regeneration are often neglected. The bone microenvironment is a sophisticated system that includes physiological (e.g., neighboring cells such as macrophages), chemical (e.g., oxygen, pH), and physical factors (e.g., mechanics, acoustics) that dynamically interact with each other. Microenvironment-targeted strategies are increasingly recognized as crucial for successful bone regeneration and offer promising solutions for advancing bone tissue engineering. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current microenvironment-targeted strategies and challenges for bone regeneration and further outlines prospective directions of the approaches in construction of bone organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Hao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Mingkai Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Zhifeng Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Zhongye Hospital, Shanghai, 201941, China
| | - Yingying Jing
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Long Bai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jiacan Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200444, China
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33
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Kheiri S, Chen Z, Yakavets I, Rakhshani F, Young EWK, Kumacheva E. Integrating spheroid-on-a-chip with tubeless rocker platform: A high-throughput biological screening platform. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2200621. [PMID: 37436706 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202200621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Spheroid-on-a-chip platforms are emerging as promising in vitro models that enable screening of the efficacy of biologically active ingredients. Generally, the supply of liquids to spheroids occurs in the steady flow mode with the use of syringe pumps; however, the utilization of tubing and connections, especially for multiplexing and high-throughput screening applications, makes spheroid-on-a-chip platforms labor- and cost-intensive. Gravity-induced flow using rocker platforms overcomes these challenges. Here, a robust gravity-driven technique was developed to culture arrays of cancer cell spheroids and dermal fibroblast spheroids in a high-throughput manner using a rocker platform. The efficiency of the developed rocker-based platform was benchmarked to syringe pumps for generating multicellular spheroids and their use for screening biologically active ingredients. Cell viability, internal spheroid structure as well as the effect of vitamin C on spheroids' protein synthesis was studied. The rocker-based platform not only offers comparable or enhanced performance in terms of cell viability, spheroids formation, and protein production by dermal fibroblast spheroids but also, from a practical perspective, offers a smaller footprint, requires a lower cost, and offers an easier method for handling. These results support the application of rocker-based microfluidic spheroid-on-a-chip platforms for in vitro screening in a high-throughput manner with industrial scaling-up opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Kheiri
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhengkun Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ilya Yakavets
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faeze Rakhshani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edmond W K Young
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eugenia Kumacheva
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Lee G, Kim SJ, Park JK. Fabrication of a self-assembled and vascularized tumor array via bioprinting on a microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4079-4091. [PMID: 37614164 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00275f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
A tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system that comprises various components, including blood vessels that play a crucial role in supplying nutrients, oxygen, and growth factors, as well as delivering chemotherapy drugs to the tumor mass through the vascular endothelial barrier. To replicate the TME in vitro, several bioprinting and microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technologies have been developed. However, these technologies have not been fully exploited in terms of potential benefits of bioprinting and microfluidics, such as precise spatial control for biological samples, construction of multiple TMEs per microfluidic device, and the ability to adjust culture environments for better biological similarity. In addition, the complex transport phenomena within the vascular endothelial barrier and the aggregated tumor mass in the TME model should be considered before applying the model to drug treatment and screening. In this study, we describe a novel integrative technology that addresses these issues by introducing a self-organized TME array bioprinted on a microfluidic chip consisting of a vascular endothelial barrier surrounding breast cancer spheroids. To integrate the TME array onto the microfluidic platform, a microfluidic substrate for extrusion bioprinting was developed for a cell culture platform, which enables diffusivity control by microstructures and establishes a perfusion culture environment inside the culture channel. We also analyzed the cellular behaviors within the TME array to investigate the influence of the diffusivity on the self-organization process required to form the vascular endothelial barrier surrounding breast cancer spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihyun Lee
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soo Jee Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Je-Kyun Park
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for the NanoCentury, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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Sapkota T, Shrestha BK, Shrestha S, Bhattarai N. Chitin Nanofibrils Enabled Core-Shell Microcapsules of Alginate Hydrogel. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2470. [PMID: 37686978 PMCID: PMC10489914 DOI: 10.3390/nano13172470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
An engineered 3D architectural network of the biopolymeric hydrogel can mimic the native cell environment that promotes cell infiltration and growth. Among several bio-fabricated hydrogel structures, core-shell microcapsules inherit the potential of cell encapsulation to ensure the growth and transport of cells and cell metabolites. Herein, a co-axial electrostatic encapsulation strategy is used to create and encapsulate the cells into chitin nanofibrils integrated alginate hydrogel microcapsules. Three parameters that are critical in the electrostatic encapsulation process, hydrogel composition, flow rate, and voltage were optimized. The physicochemical characterization including structure, size, and stability of the core-shell microcapsules was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), FTIR, and mechanical tests. The cellular responses of the core-shell microcapsules were evaluated through in vitro cell studies by encapsulating NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells. Notably, the bioactive microcapsule showed that the cell viability was found excellent for more than 2 weeks. Thus, the results of this core-shell microcapsule showed a promising approach to creating 3D hydrogel networks suitable for different biomedical applications such as in vitro tissue models for toxicity studies, wound healing, and tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thakur Sapkota
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (T.S.); (B.K.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Bishnu Kumar Shrestha
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (T.S.); (B.K.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sita Shrestha
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (T.S.); (B.K.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Narayan Bhattarai
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (T.S.); (B.K.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
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Malyukov M, Gelfgat E, Ruiz-Babot G, Schmid J, Lehmann S, Spinas G, Beuschlein F, Hantel C, Reisch N, Nawroth PP, Bornstein SR, Steenblock C, Ludwig B. Transplantation of porcine adrenal spheroids for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency. Xenotransplantation 2023; 30:e12819. [PMID: 37548062 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12819] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary adrenal insufficiency is a life-threatening disorder, which requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy. Transplantation of xenogeneic adrenal cells is a potential alternative approach for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency. For a successful outcome of this replacement therapy, transplanted cells should provide adequate hormone secretion and respond to adrenal physiological stimuli. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of primary porcine adrenal spheroids capable of replacing the function of adrenal glands in vivo. Cells within the spheroids morphologically resembled adult adrenocortical cells and synthesized and secreted adrenal steroid hormones in a regulated manner. Moreover, the embedding of the spheroids in alginate led to the formation of cellular elongations of steroidogenic cells migrating centripetally towards the inner part of the slab, similar to zona Fasciculata cells in the intact organ. Finally, transplantation of adrenal spheroids in adrenalectomized SCID mice reversed the adrenal insufficiency phenotype, which significantly improved animals' survival. Overall, such adrenal models could be employed for disease modeling and drug testing, and represent the first step toward potential clinical trials in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Malyukov
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Evgeny Gelfgat
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gerard Ruiz-Babot
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Janine Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Lehmann
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giatgen Spinas
- Medical Faculty, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Reisch
- Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter P Nawroth
- Medical Faculty Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Ludwig
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of Helmholtz Centre Munich at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden Faculty of Medicine, Dresden, Germany
- DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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37
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Chang CC, Jiang SS, Tsai FY, Hsu PJ, Hsieh CC, Wang LT, Yen ML, Yen BL. Targeting Conserved Pathways in 3D Spheroid Formation of Diverse Cell Types for Translational Application: Enhanced Functional and Antioxidant Capacity. Cells 2023; 12:2050. [PMID: 37626861 PMCID: PMC10453086 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162050] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro spheroid/organoid culture increasingly appears to better mimic physiological states than standard 2D systems. The biological consequence of 3D spheroids, however, differs for different cell types: for pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs), differentiation and loss of stemness occur, while the converse is true for somatic and cancer cells. Despite such diverse consequences, there are likely conserved mechanisms governing 3D spheroid formation across cell types that are unknown but could be efficiently targeted for translational application. To elucidate such processes, we performed transcriptome analysis with functional validation on 2D- and 3D-cultured mouse ESCs, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), and cancer cells. At both the transcriptomic and functional levels, 3D spheroid formation resulted in commitment towards known cell-specific functional outcomes. Surprisingly in all cell types, downregulation of the cholesterol synthesis pathway was found during 3D spheroid formation, with modulation concomitantly affecting 3D spheroid formation and cell-specific consequences; similar results were seen with human cell types. Furthermore, improved antioxidant capacity after 3D spheroid formation across cell types was further enhanced with modulation of the pathway. These findings demonstrate the profound cell-specific consequences and the translational value of understanding conserved mechanisms across diverse cell types after 3D spheroid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Chi Chang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center (NDMC), Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan 350, Taiwan
| | | | - Fang-Yu Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, NHRI, Zhunan 350, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Hsu
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan 350, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chan Hsieh
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan 350, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital & College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Men-Luh Yen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital & College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - B. Linju Yen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center (NDMC), Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan 350, Taiwan
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38
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Debruyne AC, Okkelman IA, Dmitriev RI. Balance between the cell viability and death in 3D. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 144:55-66. [PMID: 36117019 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.09.005] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cell death is a phenomenon, frequently perceived as an absolute event for cell, tissue and the organ. However, the rising popularity and complexity of such 3D multicellular 'tissue building blocks' as heterocellular spheroids, organoids, and 'assembloids' prompts to revise the definition and quantification of cell viability and death. It raises several questions on the overall viability of all the cells within 3D volume and on choosing the appropriate, continuous, and non-destructive viability assay enabling for a single-cell analysis. In this review, we look at cell viability and cell death modalities with attention to the intrinsic features of such 3D models as spheroids, organoids, and bioprints. Furthermore, we look at emerging and promising methodologies, which can help define and understand the balance between cell viability and death in dynamic and complex 3D environments. We conclude that the recent innovations in biofabrication, biosensor probe development, and fluorescence microscopy can help answer these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela C Debruyne
- Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Irina A Okkelman
- Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Ruslan I Dmitriev
- Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
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39
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Fang J, Celton-Morizur S, Desdouets C. NAFLD-Related HCC: Focus on the Latest Relevant Preclinical Models. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3723. [PMID: 37509384 PMCID: PMC10377912 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Despite extensive research, the biological mechanisms underlying HCC's development and progression remain only partially understood. Chronic overeating and/or sedentary-lifestyle-associated obesity, which promote Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), have recently emerged as worrying risk factors for HCC. NAFLD is characterized by excessive hepatocellular lipid accumulation (steatosis) and affects one quarter of the world's population. Steatosis progresses in the more severe inflammatory form, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), potentially leading to HCC. The incidence of NASH is expected to increase by up to 56% over the next 10 years. Better diagnoses and the establishment of effective treatments for NAFLD and HCC will require improvements in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of the disease's development. This review describes the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the mechanisms underlying the transition from NAFL/NASH to HCC. We also discuss a selection of appropriate preclinical models of NAFLD for research, from cellular models such as liver-on-a-chip models to in vivo models, focusing particularly on mouse models of dietary NAFLD-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fang
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Séverine Celton-Morizur
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Chantal Desdouets
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
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40
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Manikandan C, Jaiswal AK. Scaffold-based spheroid models of glioblastoma multiforme and its use in drug screening. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023. [PMID: 37366303 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28481] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Among several types of brain cancers, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a terminal and aggressive disease with a median survival of 15 months despite the most intensive surgery and chemotherapy. Preclinical models that accurately reproduce the tumor microenvironment are vital for developing new therapeutic alternatives. Understanding the complicated interactions between cells and their surroundings is essential to comprehend the tumor's microenvironment, however the monolayer cell culture approach falls short. Numerous approaches are used to develop GBM cells into tumor spheroids, while scaffold-based spheroids provides the opportunity to investigate the synergies between cells as well as cells and the matrix. This review summarizes the development of various scaffold-based GBM spheroid models and the prospective for their use as drug testing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceera Manikandan
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
- Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Amit Kumar Jaiswal
- Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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41
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Diane A, Mohammed LI, Al-Siddiqi HH. Islets in the body are never flat: transitioning from two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture to three-dimensional (3D) spheroid for better efficiency in the generation of functional hPSC-derived pancreatic β cells in vitro. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:151. [PMID: 37349801 PMCID: PMC10286450 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01171-8] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM), currently affecting more than 537 million people worldwide is a chronic disease characterized by impaired glucose metabolism resulting from a defect in insulin secretion, action, or both due to the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic β cells. Since cadaveric islet transplantation using Edmonton protocol has served as an effective intervention to restore normoglycaemia in T1D patients for months, stem cell-derived β cells have been explored for cell replacement therapy for diabetes. Thus, great effort has been concentrated by scientists on developing in vitro differentiation protocols to realize the therapeutic potential of hPSC-derived β cells. However, most of the 2D traditional monolayer culture could mainly generate insulin-producing β cells with immature phenotype. In the body, pancreatic islets are 3D cell arrangements with complex cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. Therefore, it is important to consider the spatial organization of the cell in the culture environment. More recently, 3D cell culture platforms have emerged as powerful tools with huge translational potential, particularly for stem cell research. 3D protocols provide a better model to recapitulate not only the in vivo morphology, but also the cell connectivity, polarity, and gene expression mimicking more physiologically the in vivo cell niche. Therefore, the 3D culture constitutes a more relevant model that may help to fill the gap between in vitro and in vivo models. Interestingly, most of the 2D planar methodologies that successfully generated functional hPSC-derived β cells have switched to a 3D arrangement of cells from pancreatic progenitor stage either as suspension clusters or as aggregates, suggesting the effect of 3D on β cell functionality. In this review we highlight the role of dimensionality (2D vs 3D) on the differentiation efficiency for generation of hPSC-derived insulin-producing β cells in vitro. Consequently, how transitioning from 2D monolayer culture to 3D spheroid would provide a better model for an efficient generation of fully functional hPSC-derived β cells mimicking in vivo islet niche for diabetes therapy or drug screening. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoulaye Diane
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar.
| | - Layla Ibrahim Mohammed
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Heba H Al-Siddiqi
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
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Abid T, Goodale AB, Kalani Z, Wyatt M, Gonzalez EM, Zhou KN, Qian K, Novikov D, Condurat AL, Bandopadhayay P, Piccioni F, Persky NS, Root DE. Genome-wide pooled CRISPR screening in neurospheres. Nat Protoc 2023:10.1038/s41596-023-00835-6. [PMID: 37286821 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Spheroid culture systems have allowed in vitro propagation of cells unable to grow in canonical cell culturing conditions, and may capture cellular contexts that model tumor growth better than current model systems. The insights gleaned from genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) screening of thousands of cancer cell lines grown in conventional culture conditions illustrate the value of such CRISPR pooled screens. It is clear that similar genome-wide CRISPR screens of three-dimensional spheroid cultures will be important for future biological discovery. Here, we present a protocol for genome-wide CRISPR screening of three-dimensional neurospheres. While many in-depth protocols and discussions have been published for more typical cell lines, few detailed protocols are currently available in the literature for genome-wide screening in spheroidal cell lines. For those who want to screen such cell lines, and particularly neurospheres, we provide a step-by-step description of assay development tests to be performed before screening, as well as for the screen itself. We highlight considerations of variables that make these screens distinct from, or similar to, typical nonspheroid cell lines throughout. Finally, we illustrate typical outcomes of neurosphere genome-wide screens, and how neurosphere screens typically produce slightly more heterogeneous signal distributions than more canonical cancer cell lines. Completion of this entire protocol will take 8-12 weeks from the initial assay development tests to deconvolution of the sequencing data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanaz Abid
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amy B Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zohra Kalani
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meghan Wyatt
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Gonzalez
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Ning Zhou
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenin Qian
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dana Novikov
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra-Larisa Condurat
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pratiti Bandopadhayay
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Federica Piccioni
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Merck Research Laboratories, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Nicole S Persky
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Aera Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David E Root
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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43
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Debnath K, Heras KL, Rivera A, Lenzini S, Shin JW. Extracellular vesicle-matrix interactions. NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS 2023; 8:390-402. [PMID: 38463907 PMCID: PMC10919209 DOI: 10.1038/s41578-023-00551-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix in microenvironments harbors a variety of signals to control cellular functions and the materiality of tissues. Most efforts to synthetically reconstitute the matrix by biomaterial design have focused on decoupling cell-secreted and polymer-based cues. Cells package molecules into nanoscale lipid membrane-bound extracellular vesicles and secrete them. Thus, extracellular vesicles inherently interact with the meshwork of the extracellular matrix. In this Review, we discuss various aspects of extracellular vesicle-matrix interactions. Cells receive feedback from the extracellular matrix and leverage intracellular processes to control the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles. Once secreted, various biomolecular and biophysical factors determine whether extracellular vesicles are locally incorporated into the matrix or transported out of the matrix to be taken up by other cells or deposited into tissues at a distal location. These insights can be utilized to develop engineered biomaterials where EV release and retention can be precisely controlled in host tissue to elicit various biological and therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Debnath
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Kevin Las Heras
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy (UPV/EHU)
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Ambar Rivera
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
| | - Stephen Lenzini
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jae-Won Shin
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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44
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Liu J, Zhang Y, van Dongen K, Kennedy C, Schotman MJG, Marín San Román PP, Storm C, Dankers PYW, Sijbesma RP. Hepatic Spheroid Formation on Carbohydrate-Functionalized Supramolecular Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2023. [PMID: 37246400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Two synthetic supramolecular hydrogels, formed from bis-urea amphiphiles containing lactobionic acid (LBA) and maltobionic acid (MBA) bioactive ligands, are applied as cell culture matrices in vitro. Their fibrillary and dynamic nature mimics essential features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The carbohydrate amphiphiles self-assemble into long supramolecular fibers in water, and hydrogels are formed by physical entanglement of fibers through bundling. Gels of both amphiphiles exhibit good self-healing behavior, but remarkably different stiffnesses. They display excellent bioactive properties in hepatic cell cultures. Both carbohydrate ligands used are proposed to bind to asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) in hepatic cells, thus inducing spheroid formation when seeding hepatic HepG2 cells on both supramolecular hydrogels. Ligand nature, ligand density, and hydrogel stiffness influence cell migration and spheroid size and number. The results illustrate the potential of self-assembled, carbohydrate-functionalized hydrogels as matrices for liver tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Kim van Dongen
- CytoSMART Technologies B.V., Vrijstraat 9B, Eindhoven 5611 AT, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Kennedy
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike J G Schotman
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia P Marín San Román
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Storm
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, the Netherlands
| | - Patricia Y W Dankers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Rint P Sijbesma
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
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45
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Wu DT, Diba M, Yang S, Freedman BR, Elosegui‐Artola A, Mooney DJ. Hydrogel viscoelasticity modulates migration and fusion of mesenchymal stem cell spheroids. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10464. [PMID: 37206235 PMCID: PMC10189430 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicellular spheroids made of stem cells can act as building blocks that fuse to capture complex aspects of native in vivo environments, but the effect of hydrogel viscoelasticity on cell migration from spheroids and their fusion remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of viscoelasticity on migration and fusion behavior of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) spheroids using hydrogels with a similar elasticity but different stress relaxation profiles. Fast relaxing (FR) matrices were found to be significantly more permissive to cell migration and consequent fusion of MSC spheroids. Mechanistically, inhibition of ROCK and Rac1 pathways prevented cell migration. Moreover, the combination of biophysical and biochemical cues provided by fast relaxing hydrogels and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) supplementation, respectively, resulted in a synergistic enhancement of migration and fusion. Overall, these findings emphasize the important role of matrix viscoelasticity in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies based on spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T. Wu
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and ImmunityHarvard School of Dental MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mani Diba
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Dentistry‐Regenerative BiomaterialsRadboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Yang
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and ImmunityHarvard School of Dental MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Benjamin R. Freedman
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Alberto Elosegui‐Artola
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Present address:
Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology LaboratoryThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Present address:
Department of PhysicsKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - David J. Mooney
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
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46
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Zhang Z, Liu Y, Tao X, Du P, Enkhbat M, Lim KS, Wang H, Wang PY. Engineering Cell Microenvironment Using Nanopattern-Derived Multicellular Spheroids and Photo-Crosslinked Gelatin/Hyaluronan Hydrogels. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15081925. [PMID: 37112072 PMCID: PMC10144125 DOI: 10.3390/polym15081925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell cultures of dispersed cells within hydrogels depict the interaction of the cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) in 3D, while the coculture of different cells within spheroids combines both the effects of cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. In this study, the cell co-spheroids of human bone mesenchymal stem cells/human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HBMSC/HUVECs) are prepared with the assistance of a nanopattern, named colloidal self-assembled patterns (cSAPs), which is superior to low-adhesion surfaces. A phenol-modified gelatin/hyaluronan (Gel-Ph/HA-Ph) hydrogel is used to encapsulate the multicellular spheroids and the constructs are photo-crosslinked using blue light. The results show that Gel-Ph/HA-Ph hydrogels with a 5%-to-0.3% ratio have the best properties. Cells in HBMSC/HUVEC co-spheroids are more favorable for osteogenic differentiation (Runx2, ALP, Col1a1 and OPN) and vascular network formation (CD31+ cells) compared to HBMSC spheroids. In a subcutaneous nude mouse model, the HBMSC/HUVEC co-spheroids showed better performance than HBMSC spheroids in angiogenesis and the development of blood vessels. Overall, this study paves a new way for using nanopatterns, cell coculturing and hydrogel technology for the generation and application of multicellular spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials and Cellular Immunomodulation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Smart Healthcare Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xuelian Tao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials and Cellular Immunomodulation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ping Du
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials and Cellular Immunomodulation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Myagmartsend Enkhbat
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials and Cellular Immunomodulation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Khoon S Lim
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Huaiyu Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials and Cellular Immunomodulation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peng-Yuan Wang
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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47
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Carrasco-Mantis A, Randelovic T, Castro-Abril H, Ochoa I, Doblaré M, Sanz-Herrera JA. A mechanobiological model for tumor spheroid evolution with application to glioblastoma: A continuum multiphysics approach. Comput Biol Med 2023; 159:106897. [PMID: 37105112 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spheroids are in vitro quasi-spherical structures of cell aggregates, eventually cultured within a hydrogel matrix, that are used, among other applications, as a technological platform to investigate tumor formation and evolution. Several interesting features can be replicated using this methodology, such as cell communication mechanisms, the effect of gradients of nutrients, or the creation of realistic 3D biological structures. The main objective of this work is to link the spheroid evolution with the mechanical activity of cells, coupled with nutrient consumption and the subsequent cell dynamics. METHOD We propose a continuum mechanobiological model which accounts for the most relevant phenomena that take place in tumor spheroid evolution under in vitro suspension, namely, nutrient diffusion in the spheroid, kinetics of cellular growth and death, and mechanical interactions among the cells. The model is qualitatively validated, after calibration of the model parameters, versus in vitro experiments of spheroids of different glioblastoma cell lines. RESULTS Our model is able to explain in a novel way quite different setups, such as spheroid growth (up to six times the initial configuration for U-87 MG cell line) or shrinking (almost half of the initial configuration for U-251 MG cell line); as the result of the mechanical interplay of cells driven by cellular evolution. CONCLUSIONS Glioblastoma tumor spheroid evolution is driven by mechanical interactions of the cell aggregate and the dynamical evolution of the cell population. All this information can be used to further investigate mechanistic effects in the evolution of tumors and their role in cancer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teodora Randelovic
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Spain; Aragón Institute of Health Research (IIS), Spain
| | - Héctor Castro-Abril
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Spain; Aragón Institute of Health Research (IIS), Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Spain; Aragón Institute of Health Research (IIS), Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Manuel Doblaré
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Spain; Aragón Institute of Health Research (IIS), Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
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48
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Cameron AP, Gao S, Liu Y, Zhao CX. Impact of hydrogel biophysical properties on tumor spheroid growth and drug response. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 149:213421. [PMID: 37060634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in regulating cell-matrix interactions during tumor progression. These interactions are due in large part to the biophysical properties responding to cancer cell interactions. Within in vitro models, the ECM is mimicked by hydrogels, which possess adjustable biophysical properties that are integral to tumor development. This work presents a systematic and comparative study on the impact of the biophysical properties of two widely used natural hydrogels, Matrigel and collagen gel, on tumor growth and drug response. The biophysical properties of Matrigel and collagen including complex modulus, loss tangent, diffusive permeability, and pore size, were characterised. Then the spheroid growth rates in these two hydrogels were monitored for spheroids with two different sizes (140 μm and 500 μm in diameters). An increased migratory growth was observed in the lower concentration of both the gels. The effect of spheroid incorporation within the hydrogel had a minimal impact on the hydrogel's complex modulus. Finally, 3D tumor models using different concentrations of hydrogels were applied for drug treatment using paclitaxel. Spheroids cultured in hydrogels with different concentrations showed different drug response, demonstrating the significant effect of the choice of hydrogels and their concentrations on the drug response results despite using the same spheroids. This study provides useful insights into the effect of hydrogel biophysical properties on spheroid growth and drug response and highlights the importance of hydrogel selection and in vitro model design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P Cameron
- Australian institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Song Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Yun Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
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Lebedenko C, Murray ME, Goncalves BG, Perez DS, Lambo DJ, Banerjee IA. Interactions of Nanoscale Self-Assembled Peptide-Based Assemblies with Glioblastoma Cell Models and Spheroids. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:12124-12143. [PMID: 37033803 PMCID: PMC10077566 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c08049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nanoassemblies have garnered remarkable importance in the development of novel nanoscale biomaterials for drug delivery into tumor cells. Taking advantage of receptor mediated recognition of two known peptides, angiopep-2 (TFFYGGSRGKRNNFKTEEY) and A-COOP-K (ACGLSGLC10 VAK) that bind to the over-expressed receptors low density lipoprotein (LRP-1) and fatty acid binding protein (FABP3) respectively, we have developed new peptide conjugates by combining the anti-inflammatory, antitumor compound azelaic acid with angiopep-2, which efficiently self-assembled into nanofibers. Those nanofibers were then functionalized with the A-COOP-K sequence and formed supramolecular hierarchical structures that were found to entrap the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin efficaciously. Furthermore, the nanoassemblies were found to release the drug in a dose-dependent manner and showed a stepwise increase over a period of 2 weeks under acidic conditions. Two cell lines (U-87-MG and U-138-MG) were utilized as models for glioblastoma cells grown in the presence of serum and under serum-free conditions to mimic the growth conditions of natural tumors. The drug entrapped assemblies were found to inhibit the cell proliferation of both U-87 and U-138MG glioblastoma cells. Three dimensional spheroids of different sizes were grown to mimic the tumors and evaluate the efficacy of drug release and internalization. Our results indicated that the nanoassemblies were found to have higher internalization of DOX and were well-spread throughout the spheroids grown, particularly under serum-free conditions. The nanoassemblies also displayed blood-brain barrier penetration when tested with a multicellular in vitro model. Such self-assembled nanostructures with targeting ability may provide a suitable platform for the development of new peptide-based biomaterials that can provide more insights about the mechanistic approach for drug delivery for not only 2D cell cultures but also 3D tumoroids that mimic the tumor microenvironments.
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50
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Suwannakot P, Nemec S, Peres NG, Du EY, Kilian KA, Gaus K, Kavallaris M, Gooding JJ. Electrostatic Assembly of Multiarm PEG-Based Hydrogels as Extracellular Matrix Mimics: Cell Response in the Presence and Absence of RGD Cell Adhesive Ligands. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1362-1376. [PMID: 36826383 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic hydrogels have been used widely as extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics due to the ability to control and mimic physical and biochemical cues observed in natural ECM proteins such as collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Most synthetic hydrogels are formed via covalent bonding resulting in slow gelation which is incompatible with drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting of cells and injectable hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. Herein, we developed an electrostatically crosslinked PEG-based hydrogel system for creating high-throughput 3D in vitro models using synthetic hydrogels to mimic the ECM cancer environment. A 3-arm PEG-based polymer backbone was first modified with either permanent cationic charged moieties (2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl trimethylammonium) or permanent anionic charged moieties (3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt). The resulting charged polymers can be conjugated further with various amounts of cell adhesive RGD motifs (0, 25, 75, and 98%) to study the influences of RGD motifs on breast cancer (MCF-7) spheroid formation. Formation, stability, and mechanical properties of hydrogels were tested with, and without, RGD to evaluate the cellular response to material parameters in a 3D environment. The hydrogels can be degraded in the presence of salts at room temperature by breaking the interaction of oppositely charged polymer chains. MCF-7 cells could be released with high viability through brief exposure to NaCl solution. Flow cytometry characterization demonstrated that embedded MCF-7 cells proliferate better in a softer (60 Pa) 3D hydrogel environment compared to those that are stiffer (1160 Pa). As the stiffness increases, the RGD motif plays a role in promoting cell proliferation in the stiffer hydrogel. Flow cytometry characterization demonstrated that embedded MCF-7 cells proliferate better in a softer (60 Pa) 3D hydrogel environment compared to those that are stiffer (1160 Pa). As the stiffness increases, the RGD motif plays a role in promoting cell proliferation in the stiffer hydrogel. Additionally, cell viability was not impacted by the tested hydrogel stiffness range between 60 to 1160 Pa. Taken together, this PEG-based tuneable hydrogel system shows great promise as a 3D ECM mimic of cancer extracellular environments with controllable biophysical and biochemical properties. The ease of gelation and dissolution through salt concentration provides a way to quickly harvest cells for further analysis at any given time of interest without compromising cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panthipa Suwannakot
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stephanie Nemec
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Newton Gil Peres
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Eric Y Du
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Katharina Gaus
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - J Justin Gooding
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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