1
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Bordini J, Lenzi C, Frenquelli M, Morabito A, Pseftogas A, Belloni D, Mansouri L, Tsiolas G, Perotta E, Ranghetti P, Gandini F, Genova F, Hägerstrand D, Gavriilidis G, Keisaris S, Pechlivanis N, Davi F, Kay NE, Langerak AW, Pospisilova S, Scarfò L, Makris A, Psomopoulos FE, Stamatopoulos K, Rosenquist R, Campanella A, Ghia P. IκBε deficiency accelerates disease development in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2024; 38:1287-1298. [PMID: 38575671 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02236-4] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The NFKBIE gene, which encodes the NF-κB inhibitor IκBε, is mutated in 3-7% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The most recurrent alteration is a 4-bp frameshift deletion associated with NF-κB activation in leukemic B cells and poor clinical outcome. To study the functional consequences of NFKBIE gene inactivation, both in vitro and in vivo, we engineered CLL B cells and CLL-prone mice to stably down-regulate NFKBIE expression and investigated its role in controlling NF-κB activity and disease expansion. We found that IκBε loss leads to NF-κB pathway activation and promotes both migration and proliferation of CLL cells in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, NFKBIE inactivation was sufficient to induce a more rapid expansion of the CLL clone in lymphoid organs and contributed to the development of an aggressive disease with a shortened survival in both xenografts and genetically modified mice. IκBε deficiency was associated with an alteration of the MAPK pathway, also confirmed by RNA-sequencing in NFKBIE-mutated patient samples, and resistance to the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib. In summary, our work underscores the multimodal relevance of the NF-κB pathway in CLL and paves the way to translate these findings into novel therapeutic options.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Animals
- Mice
- Humans
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- Adenine/pharmacology
- Cell Movement
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Lenzi
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Morabito
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Athanasios Pseftogas
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Belloni
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Larry Mansouri
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - George Tsiolas
- Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH), Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Francesca Gandini
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Hägerstrand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Sofoklis Keisaris
- Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH), Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Frederic Davi
- Institution Université Pierre et Marie Curie & Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Sarka Pospisilova
- University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonios Makris
- Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH), Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Richard Rosenquist
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Campanella
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ghia
- IRCSS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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2
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Haselager MV, van Driel BF, Perelaer E, de Rooij D, Lashgari D, Loos R, Kater AP, Moerland PD, Eldering E. In Vitro 3D Spheroid Culture System Displays Sustained T Cell-dependent CLL Proliferation and Survival. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e938. [PMID: 37637994 PMCID: PMC10448932 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are highly dependent on microenvironmental cells and signals. The lymph node (LN) is the critical site of in vivo CLL proliferation and development of resistance to both chemotherapy and targeted agents. We present a new model that incorporates key aspects of the CLL LN, which enables investigation of CLL cells in the context of a protective niche. We describe a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture system using ultra-low attachment plates to create spheroids of CLL cells derived from peripheral blood. Starting from CLL:T cell ratios as observed in LN samples, CLL activation was induced by either direct stimulation and/or indirectly via T cells. Compared with two-dimensional cultures, 3D cultures promoted CLL proliferation in a T cell-dependent manner, and enabled expansion for up to 7 weeks, including the formation of follicle-like structures after several weeks of culture. This model enables high-throughput drug screening, of which we describe response to Btk inhibition, venetoclax resistance, and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity as examples. In summary, we present the first LN-mimicking in vitro 3D culture for primary CLL, which enables readouts such as real-time drug screens, kinetic growth assays, and spatial localization. This is the first in vitro CLL system that allows testing of response and resistance to venetoclax and Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the context of the tumor microenvironment, thereby opening up new possibilities for clinically useful applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco V. Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca F. van Driel
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Eduard Perelaer
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis de Rooij
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Danial Lashgari
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Loos
- Center for Innovation and Translational Research Europe, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Arnon P. Kater
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Perry D. Moerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Methodology Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Sampietro M, Cassina V, Salerno D, Barbaglio F, Buglione E, Marrano CA, Campanile R, Scarfò L, Biedenweg D, Fregin B, Zamai M, Díaz Torres A, Labrador Cantarero V, Ghia P, Otto O, Mantegazza F, Caiolfa VR, Scielzo C. The Nanomechanical Properties of CLL Cells Are Linked to the Actin Cytoskeleton and Are a Potential Target of BTK Inhibitors. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e931. [PMID: 37492437 PMCID: PMC10365208 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an incurable disease characterized by an intense trafficking of the leukemic cells between the peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. It is known that the ability of lymphocytes to recirculate strongly depends on their capability to rapidly rearrange their cytoskeleton and adapt to external cues; however, little is known about the differences occurring between CLL and healthy B cells during these processes. To investigate this point, we applied a single-cell optical (super resolution microscopy) and nanomechanical approaches (atomic force microscopy, real-time deformability cytometry) to both CLL and healthy B lymphocytes and compared their behavior. We demonstrated that CLL cells have a specific actomyosin complex organization and altered mechanical properties in comparison to their healthy counterpart. To evaluate the clinical relevance of our findings, we treated the cells in vitro with the Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors and we found for the first time that the drug restores the CLL cells mechanical properties to a healthy phenotype and activates the actomyosin complex. We further validated these results in vivo on CLL cells isolated from patients undergoing ibrutinib treatment. Our results suggest that CLL cells' mechanical properties are linked to their actin cytoskeleton organization and might be involved in novel mechanisms of drug resistance, thus becoming a new potential therapeutic target aiming at the normalization of the mechanical fingerprints of the leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sampietro
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- Unit of Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Valeria Cassina
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Domenico Salerno
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Federica Barbaglio
- Unit of Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Buglione
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Claudia Adriana Marrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Riccardo Campanile
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- Unit B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Doreen Biedenweg
- Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr, Germany
| | - Bob Fregin
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V., Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr, Germany
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Fleischmannstr, Germany
- Institute of Physics, Universität Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse, Germany
| | - Moreno Zamai
- Unit of Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonsa Díaz Torres
- Unit of Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Veronica Labrador Cantarero
- Unit of Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paolo Ghia
- Unit B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Oliver Otto
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V., Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr, Germany
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Fleischmannstr, Germany
- Institute of Physics, Universität Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse, Germany
| | - Francesco Mantegazza
- School of Medicine and Surgery, BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Valeria R. Caiolfa
- Unit of Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Scielzo
- Unit of Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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4
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Barozzi D, Scielzo C. Emerging Strategies in 3D Culture Models for Hematological Cancers. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e932. [PMID: 37520775 PMCID: PMC10378728 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro cell cultures are fundamental and necessary tools in cancer research and personalized drug discovery. Currently, most cells are cultured using two-dimensional (2D) methods, and drug testing is mainly performed in animal models. However, new and improved methods that implement three-dimensional (3D) cell-culturing techniques provide compelling evidence that more advanced experiments can be performed, yielding valuable new insights. In 3D cell-culture experiments, the cell environment can be manipulated to mimic the complexity and dynamicity of the human tissue microenvironment, possibly leading to more accurate representations of cell-to-cell interactions, tumor biology, and predictions of drug response. The 3D cell cultures can also potentially provide alternative ways to study hematological cancers and are expected to eventually bridge the gap between 2D cell culture and animal models. The present review provides an overview of the complexity of the lymphoid microenvironment and a summary of the currently used 3D models that aim at recreating it for hematological cancer research. We here dissect the differences and challenges between, and potential advantages of, different culture methods and present our vision of the most promising future strategies in the hematological field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Barozzi
- Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, School of Medicine and Surgery, PhD program in Molecular and Translational Medicine (DIMET), Milano, Italy
- Unit of Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Scielzo
- Unit of Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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5
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Choquette T, Henson ES, Yang X, Johnston JB, Gibson SB. A novel method to investigate drug resistance in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) microenvironment: Analysis of CLL Cellular Environment and Response (ACCER). Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:822-834. [PMID: 36803637 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2171729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironments such as lymph nodes allow chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells to survive and become drug resistant. There are limited methods to study the to study the contribution of the stromal microenvironment. We have adapted a solid tumor microenvironment cell culture system that provides elements of the CLL microenvironment called Analysis of CLL Cellular Environment and Response (ACCER). We optimized the cell number for patient's primary CLL cells and HS-5 human bone marrow stromal cell line that will give sufficient cell number and viability with the ACCER. We then determined the amount of collagen type 1 to give the best extracellular matrix to seed CLL cells to the membrane. Finally, we determined that ACCER provide CLL cell protection against cell death following treatment with fludarabine and ibrutinib compared to co-culture conditions. This describes novel microenvironment model to investigate factors that promote drug resistance in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia Choquette
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Elizabeth S Henson
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James B Johnston
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Spencer B Gibson
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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6
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Sbrana FV, Fiordi B, Bordini J, Belloni D, Barbaglio F, Russo L, Scarfò L, Ghia P, Scielzo C. PYK2 is overexpressed in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: A potential new therapeutic target. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:576-586. [PMID: 36747338 PMCID: PMC9930416 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17688] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) is the most common adult B-cell leukaemia and despite improvement in patients' outcome, following the use of targeted therapies, it remains incurable. CLL supportive microenvironment plays a key role in both CLL progression and drug resistance through signals that can be sensed by the main components of the focal adhesion complex, such as FAK and PYK2 kinases. Dysregulations of both kinases have been observed in several metastatic cancers, but their role in haematological malignancies is still poorly defined. We characterized FAK and PYK2 expression and observed that PYK2 expression is higher in leukaemic B cells and its overexpression significantly correlates with their malignant transformation. When targeting both FAK and PYK2 with the specific inhibitor defactinib, we observed a dose-response effect on CLL cells viability and survival. In vivo treatment of a CLL mouse model showed a decrease of the leukaemic clone in all the lymphoid organs along with a significant reduction of macrophages and of the spleen weight and size. Our results first define a possible prognostic value for PYK2 in CLL, and show that both FAK and PYK2 might become putative targets for both CLL and its microenvironment (e.g. macrophages), thus paving the way to an innovative therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Vittoria Sbrana
- Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Benedetta Fiordi
- Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
- School of MedicineUniversità Vita‐Salute San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Jessica Bordini
- B‐cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Daniela Belloni
- B‐cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Federica Barbaglio
- Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Luca Russo
- Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- School of MedicineUniversità Vita‐Salute San RaffaeleMilanItaly
- B‐cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Paolo Ghia
- School of MedicineUniversità Vita‐Salute San RaffaeleMilanItaly
- B‐cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
| | - Cristina Scielzo
- Malignant B cells biology and 3D modelling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologyIRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleMilanItaly
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7
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Belloni D, Ferrarini M, Ferrero E, Guzzeloni V, Barbaglio F, Ghia P, Scielzo C. Protocol for generation of 3D bone marrow surrogate microenvironments in a rotary cell culture system. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101601. [PMID: 35990738 PMCID: PMC9382330 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this protocol, we describe how to generate 3D culture surrogates of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM) bone marrow microenvironments. We detail the use of culturing scaffolds populated with BM stromal cells and tumor cells in the RCCS™ bioreactor. This 3D culture can efficiently recapitulate tumor-stroma crosstalk and allows the testing of drugs such as ibrutinib and bortezomib. Moreover, this protocol can be used for the generation of other and more complex tumor microenvironments. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Belloni et al. (2018) and Barbaglio et al. (2021). Step-by-step generation of a 3D bone marrow microenvironment for CLL and MM Set up of a dynamic 3D culture in an RCCS™ bioreactor Integrative analysis of the 3D scaffolds in response to drug treatment
Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
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8
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Guzzeloni V, Veschini L, Pedica F, Ferrero E, Ferrarini M. 3D Models as a Tool to Assess the Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Therapeutic Antibodies: Advantages and Limitations. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11030046. [PMID: 35892706 PMCID: PMC9326665 DOI: 10.3390/antib11030046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are an emerging and very active frontier in clinical oncology, with hundred molecules currently in use or being tested. These treatments have already revolutionized clinical outcomes in both solid and hematological malignancies. However, identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from mAbs treatment is currently challenging and limiting the impact of such therapies. To overcome this issue, and to fulfill the expectations of mAbs therapies, it is urgently required to develop proper culture models capable of faithfully reproducing the interactions between tumor and its surrounding native microenvironment (TME). Three-dimensional (3D) models which allow the assessment of the impact of drugs on tumors within its TME in a patient-specific context are promising avenues to progressively fill the gap between conventional 2D cultures and animal models, substantially contributing to the achievement of personalized medicine. This review aims to give a brief overview of the currently available 3D models, together with their specific exploitation for therapeutic mAbs testing, underlying advantages and current limitations to a broader use in preclinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Guzzeloni
- B-Cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (E.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Veschini
- Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Federica Pedica
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Ferrero
- B-Cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (E.F.)
| | - Marina Ferrarini
- B-Cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (E.F.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Duś-Szachniewicz K, Gdesz-Birula K, Rymkiewicz G. Development and Characterization of 3D Hybrid Spheroids for the Investigation of the Crosstalk Between B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:683-697. [PMID: 35747403 PMCID: PMC9213039 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s363994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHLs) are the most common lymphoproliferative malignancy. Despite targeted therapies, the bone marrow involvement remains a challenge in treating aggressive B-NHLs, partly due to the protective interactions of lymphoma cells with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). However, data elucidating the relationship between MSCs and B-NHLs are limited and inconclusive due to the lack of reproducible in vitro three-dimensional (3D) models. Here, we developed and described a size-controlled and stable 3D hybrid spheroids of Ri-1 (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL) and RAJI (Burkitt lymphoma, BL) cells with HS-5 fibroblasts to facilitate research on the crosstalk between B-NHL cells and MSCs. Materials and Methods We applied the commercially available agarose hydrogel microwells for a fast, low-cost, and reproducible hybrid lymphoma/stromal spheroids formation. Standard histological automated procedures were used for formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) of 3D models to produce good quality slides for histopathology and immunohistochemical staining. Next, we tested the effect of the anti-cancer drugs: doxorubicin (DOX) and ibrutinib (IBR) on mono-cultured and co-cultured B-NHLs with the use of alamarBlue and live/dead cell fluorescence based assays to confirm their relevancy for drug testing studies. Results We optimized the conditions for B-NHLs spheroid formation in both: a cell line-specific and application-specific manner. Lymphoma cells aggregate into stable spheroids when co-cultured with stromal cells, of which internal architecture was driven by self-organization. Furthermore, we revealed that co-culturing of lymphoma cells with stromal cells significantly reduced IBR-induced apoptosis compared to the 3D mono-culture. Conclusion This article provides details for generating 3D B-NHL spheroids for the studies on the lymphoma- stromal cells. This approach makes it suitable to assess in a relevant in vitro model the activity of new therapeutic agents in B-NHLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Duś-Szachniewicz
- Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Gdesz-Birula
- Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Rymkiewicz
- Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Department of Cancer Pathomorphology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
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10
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In Vitro and In Vivo Models of CLL–T Cell Interactions: Implications for Drug Testing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133087. [PMID: 35804862 PMCID: PMC9264798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells in the peripheral blood and lymphoid microenvironment display substantially different gene expression profiles and proliferative capaci-ty. It has been suggested that CLL–T-cell interactions are key pro-proliferative stimuli in immune niches. We review in vitro and in vivo model systems that mimic CLL-T-cell interactions to trigger CLL proliferation and study therapy resistance. We focus on studies describing the co-culture of leukemic cells with T cells, or supportive cell lines expressing T-cell factors, and simplified models of CLL cells’ stimulation with recombinant factors. In the second part, we summarize mouse models revealing the role of T cells in CLL biology and implications for generating patient-derived xenografts by co-transplanting leukemic cells with T cells. Abstract T cells are key components in environments that support chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), activating CLL-cell proliferation and survival. Here, we review in vitro and in vivo model systems that mimic CLL–T-cell interactions, since these are critical for CLL-cell division and resistance to some types of therapy (such as DNA-damaging drugs or BH3-mimetic venetoclax). We discuss approaches for direct CLL-cell co-culture with autologous T cells, models utilizing supportive cell lines engineered to express T-cell factors (such as CD40L) or stimulating CLL cells with combinations of recombinant factors (CD40L, interleukins IL4 or IL21, INFγ) and additional B-cell receptor (BCR) activation with anti-IgM antibody. We also summarize strategies for CLL co-transplantation with autologous T cells into immunodeficient mice (NOD/SCID, NSG, NOG) to generate patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and the role of T cells in transgenic CLL mouse models based on TCL1 overexpression (Eµ-TCL1). We further discuss how these in vitro and in vivo models could be used to test drugs to uncover the effects of targeted therapies (such as inhibitors of BTK, PI3K, SYK, AKT, MEK, CDKs, BCL2, and proteasome) or chemotherapy (fludarabine and bendamustine) on CLL–T-cell interactions and CLL proliferation.
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11
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Nicolò A, Linder AT, Jumaa H, Maity PC. The Determinants of B Cell Receptor Signaling as Prototype Molecular Biomarkers of Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 11:771669. [PMID: 34993136 PMCID: PMC8724047 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.771669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified several transforming mutations in susceptible loci which are recognized as valuable prognostic markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B cell lymphoma (BCL). Alongside, robust genetic manipulations facilitated the generation of preclinical mouse models to validate mutations associated with poor prognosis and refractory B cell malignancies. Taken together, these studies identified new prognostic markers that could achieve characteristics of precision biomarkers for molecular diagnosis. On the contrary, the idea of augmented B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling as a transforming cue has somewhat receded despite the efficacy of Btk and Syk inhibitors. Recent studies from several research groups pointed out that acquired mutations in BCR components serve as faithful biomarkers, which become important for precision diagnostics and therapy, due to their relevant role in augmented BCR signaling and CLL pathogenesis. For example, we showed that expression of a single point mutated immunoglobulin light chain (LC) recombined through the variable gene segment IGLV3-21, named IGLV3-21R110, marks severe CLL cases. In this perspective, we summarize the molecular mechanisms fine-tuning B cell transformation, focusing on immunoglobulin point mutations and recurrent mutations in tumor suppressors. We present a stochastic model for gain-of-autonomous BCR signaling and subsequent neoplastic transformation. Of note, additional mutational analyses on immunoglobulin heavy chain (HC) derived from non-subset #2 CLL IGLV3-21R110 cases endorses our perspective. Altogether, we propose a model of malignant transformation in which the augmented BCR signaling creates a conducive platform for the appearance of transforming mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hassan Jumaa
- Institute of Immunology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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12
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Culturing patient-derived malignant hematopoietic stem cells in engineered and fully humanized 3D niches. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2114227118. [PMID: 34580200 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114227118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human malignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) reside in bone marrow (BM) niches, which remain challenging to explore due to limited in vivo accessibility and constraints with humanized animal models. Several in vitro systems have been established to culture patient-derived HSPCs in specific microenvironments, but they do not fully recapitulate the complex features of native bone marrow. Our group previously reported that human osteoblastic BM niches (O-N), engineered by culturing mesenchymal stromal cells within three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds under perfusion flow in a bioreactor system, are capable of maintaining, expanding, and functionally regulating healthy human cord blood-derived HSPCs. Here, we first demonstrate that this 3D O-N can sustain malignant CD34+ cells from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myeloproliferative neoplasm patients for up to 3 wk. Human malignant cells distributed in the bioreactor system mimicking the spatial distribution found in native BM tissue, where most HSPCs remain linked to the niches and mature cells are released to the circulation. Using human adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction cells, we then generated a stromal-vascular niche and demonstrated that O-N and stromal-vascular niche differentially regulate leukemic UCSD-AML1 cell expansion, immunophenotype, and response to chemotherapy. The developed system offers a unique platform to investigate human leukemogenesis and response to drugs in customized environments, mimicking defined features of native hematopoietic niches and compatible with the establishment of personalized settings.
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13
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Extrinsic interactions in the microenvironment in vivo activate an antiapoptotic multidrug-resistant phenotype in CLL. Blood Adv 2021; 5:3497-3510. [PMID: 34432864 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax has yielded exceptional clinical responses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, de novo resistance can result in failure to achieve negative minimal residual disease and predicts poor treatment outcomes. Consequently, additional proapoptotic drugs, such as inhibitors of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL, are in development. By profiling antiapoptotic proteins using flow cytometry, we find that leukemic B cells that recently emigrated from the lymph node (CD69+/CXCR4Low) in vivo are enriched for cell clusters simultaneously overexpressing multiple antiapoptotic proteins (Mcl-1High/Bcl-xLHigh/Bcl-2High) in both treated and treatment-naive CLL patients. These cells exhibited antiapoptotic resistance to multiple BH-domain antagonists, including inhibitors of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bcl-xL, when tested as single agents in a flow cytometry-based functional assay. Antiapoptotic multidrug resistance declines ex vivo, consistent with resistance being generated in vivo by extrinsic microenvironmental interactions. Surviving "persister" cells in patients undergoing venetoclax treatment are enriched for CLL cells displaying the functional and molecular properties of microenvironmentally induced multidrug resistance. Overcoming this resistance required simultaneous inhibition of multiple antiapoptotic proteins, with potential for unwanted toxicities. Using a drug screen performed using patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured in an ex vivo microenvironment model, we identify novel venetoclax drug combinations that induce selective cytotoxicity in multidrug-resistant CLL cells. Thus, we demonstrate that antiapoptotic multidrug-resistant CLL cells exist in patients de novo and show that these cells persist during proapoptotic treatment, such as venetoclax. We validate clinically actionable approaches to selectively deplete this reservoir in patients.
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14
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Sbrana FV, Pinos R, Barbaglio F, Ribezzi D, Scagnoli F, Scarfò L, Redwan IN, Martinez H, Farè S, Ghia P, Scielzo C. 3D Bioprinting Allows the Establishment of Long-Term 3D Culture Model for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:639572. [PMID: 34012434 PMCID: PMC8126722 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.639572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) represents the most common leukemia in the western world and remains incurable. Leukemic cells organize and interact in the lymphoid tissues, however what actually occurs in these sites has not been fully elucidated yet. Studying primary CLL cells in vitro is very challenging due to their short survival in culture and also to the fact that traditional two-dimensional in vitro models lack cellular and spatial complexity present in vivo. Based on these considerations, we exploited for the first time three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to advance in vitro models for CLL. This technology allowed us to print CLL cells (both primary cells and cell lines) mixed with the appropriate, deeply characterized, hydrogel to generate a scaffold containing the cells, thus avoiding the direct cell seeding onto a precast 3D scaffold and paving the way to more complex models. Using this system, we were able to efficiently 3D bioprint leukemic cells and improve their viability in vitro that could be maintained up to 28 days. We monitored over time CLL cells viability, phenotype and gene expression, thus establishing a reproducible long-term 3D culture model for leukemia. Through RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis, we observed a consistent difference in gene expression profile between 2D and 3D samples, indicating a different behavior of the cells in the two different culture settings. In particular, we identified pathways upregulated in 3D, at both day 7 and 14, associated with immunoglobulins production, pro-inflammatory molecules expression, activation of cytokines/chemokines and cell-cell adhesion pathways, paralleled by a decreased production of proteins involved in DNA replication and cell division, suggesting a strong adaptation of the cells in the 3D culture. Thanks to this innovative approach, we developed a new tool that may help to better mimic the physiological 3D in vivo settings of leukemic cells as well as of immune cells in broader terms. This will allow for a more reliable study of the molecular and cellular interactions occurring in normal and neoplastic conditions in vivo, and could also be exploited for clinical purposes to test individual responses to different drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Vittoria Sbrana
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pinos
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Barbaglio
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Ribezzi
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Fiorella Scagnoli
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- School of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,B-Cell Neoplasia Unit and Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvia Farè
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Ghia
- School of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,B-Cell Neoplasia Unit and Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Scielzo
- Malignant B Cells Biology and 3D Modelling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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15
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Svozilová H, Plichta Z, Proks V, Studená R, Baloun J, Doubek M, Pospíšilová Š, Horák D. RGDS-Modified Superporous Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate)-Based Scaffolds as 3D In Vitro Leukemia Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052376. [PMID: 33673496 PMCID: PMC7956824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Superporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (P(HEMA-AEMA)) hydrogel scaffolds are designed for in vitro 3D culturing of leukemic B cells. Hydrogel porosity, which influences cell functions and growth, is introduced by adding ammonium oxalate needle-like crystals in the polymerization mixture. To improve cell vitality, cell-adhesive Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptide is immobilized on the N-(γ-maleimidobutyryloxy)succinimide-activated P(HEMA-AEMA) hydrogels via reaction of SH with maleimide groups. This modification is especially suitable for the survival of primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (B-CLLs) in 3D cell culture. No other tested stimuli (interleukin-4, CD40 ligand, or shaking) can further improve B-CLL survival or metabolic activity. Both unmodified and RGDS-modified P(HEMA-AEMA) scaffolds serve as a long-term (70 days) 3D culture platforms for HS-5 and M2-10B4 bone marrow stromal cell lines and MEC-1 and HG-3 B-CLL cell lines, although the adherent cells retain their physiological morphologies, preferably on RGDS-modified hydrogels. Moreover, the porosity of hydrogels allows direct cell lysis, followed by efficient DNA isolation from the 3D-cultured cells. P(HEMA-AEMA)-RGDS thus serves as a suitable 3D in vitro leukemia model that enables molecular and metabolic assays and allows imaging of cell morphology, interactions, and migration by confocal microscopy. Such applications can prospectively assist in testing of drugs to treat this frequently recurring or refractory cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Svozilová
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.S.); (R.S.); (J.B.); (M.D.); (Š.P.)
- Department of Internal Medicine—Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavská 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Plichta
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague, Czech Republic; (Z.P.); (V.P.)
| | - Vladimír Proks
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague, Czech Republic; (Z.P.); (V.P.)
| | - Radana Studená
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.S.); (R.S.); (J.B.); (M.D.); (Š.P.)
| | - Jiří Baloun
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.S.); (R.S.); (J.B.); (M.D.); (Š.P.)
| | - Michael Doubek
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.S.); (R.S.); (J.B.); (M.D.); (Š.P.)
- Department of Internal Medicine—Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavská 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Pospíšilová
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.S.); (R.S.); (J.B.); (M.D.); (Š.P.)
- Department of Internal Medicine—Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavská 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Horák
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague, Czech Republic; (Z.P.); (V.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-296-809-260
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16
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Scielzo C, Ghia P. Modeling the Leukemia Microenviroment In Vitro. Front Oncol 2020; 10:607608. [PMID: 33392097 PMCID: PMC7773937 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.607608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the active role of the microenvironment in the pathogenesis, development and drug resistance of B cell malignancies has been clearly established. It is known that the tissue microenvironment promotes proliferation and drug resistance of leukemic cells suggesting that successful treatments of B cell malignancies must target the leukemic cells within these compartments. However, the cross-talk occurring between cancer cells and the tissue microenvironment still needs to be fully elucidated. In solid tumors, this lack of knowledge has led to the development of new and more complex in vitro models able to successfully mimic the in vivo settings, while only a few simplified models are available for haematological cancers, commonly relying only on the co-culture with stabilized stromal cells and/or the addition of limited cocktails of cytokines. Here, we will review the known cellular and molecular interactions occurring between monoclonal B lymphocytes and their tissue microenvironment and the current literature describing innovative in vitro models developed in particular to study chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We will also elaborate on the possibility to further improve such systems based on the current knowledge of the key molecules/signals present in the microenvironment. In particular, we think that future models should be developed as 3D culture systems with a higher level of cellular and molecular complexity, to replicate microenvironmental-induced signaling. We believe that innovative 3D-models may therefore improve the knowledge on pathogenic mechanisms leading to the dissemination and homing of leukemia cells and consequently the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scielzo
- Unit of Malignant B Cell Biology and 3D Modeling, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Ghia
- Unit of B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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