1
|
Dang J, Huang S, Li S, Liu J, Chen Z, Wang L, Wang J, Chen H, Xu S. Effects of the Biomimetic Microstructure in Electrospun Fiber Sutures and Mechanical Tension on Tissue Repair. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 38788159 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Electrospun microfibers, designed to emulate the extracellular matrix (ECM), play a crucial role in regulating the cellular microenvironment for tissue repair. Understanding their mechanical influence and inherent biological interactions at the ECM interface, however, remains a complex challenge. This study delves into the role of mechanical cues in tissue repair by fabricating Col/PLCL microfibers with varying chemical compositions and alignments that mimic the structure of the ECM. Furthermore, we optimized these microfibers to create the Col/PLCL@PDO aligned suture, with a specific emphasis on mechanical tension in tissue repair. The result reveals that within fibers of identical chemical composition, fibroblast proliferation is more pronounced in aligned fibers than in unaligned ones. Moreover, cells on aligned fibers exhibit an increased aspect ratio. In vivo experiments demonstrated that as the tension increased to a certain level, cell proliferation augmented, cells assumed more elongated morphologies with distinct protrusions, and there was an elevated secretion of collagen III and tension suture, facilitating soft tissue repair. This research illuminates the structural and mechanical dynamics of electrospun fiber scaffolds; it will provide crucial insights for the advancement of precise and controllable tissue engineering materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shifen Huang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shengmei Li
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jingyao Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zibo Chen
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Liu Wang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mierke CT. Phenotypic Heterogeneity, Bidirectionality, Universal Cues, Plasticity, Mechanics, and the Tumor Microenvironment Drive Cancer Metastasis. Biomolecules 2024; 14:184. [PMID: 38397421 PMCID: PMC10887446 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020184] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor diseases become a huge problem when they embark on a path that advances to malignancy, such as the process of metastasis. Cancer metastasis has been thoroughly investigated from a biological perspective in the past, whereas it has still been less explored from a physical perspective. Until now, the intraluminal pathway of cancer metastasis has received the most attention, while the interaction of cancer cells with macrophages has received little attention. Apart from the biochemical characteristics, tumor treatments also rely on the tumor microenvironment, which is recognized to be immunosuppressive and, as has recently been found, mechanically stimulates cancer cells and thus alters their functions. The review article highlights the interaction of cancer cells with other cells in the vascular metastatic route and discusses the impact of this intercellular interplay on the mechanical characteristics and subsequently on the functionality of cancer cells. For instance, macrophages can guide cancer cells on their intravascular route of cancer metastasis, whereby they can help to circumvent the adverse conditions within blood or lymphatic vessels. Macrophages induce microchannel tunneling that can possibly avoid mechanical forces during extra- and intravasation and reduce the forces within the vascular lumen due to vascular flow. The review article highlights the vascular route of cancer metastasis and discusses the key players in this traditional route. Moreover, the effects of flows during the process of metastasis are presented, and the effects of the microenvironment, such as mechanical influences, are characterized. Finally, the increased knowledge of cancer metastasis opens up new perspectives for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth System Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moshrefiravasjani R, Kamrani A, Nazari N, Jafari F, Nasiri H, Jahanban-Esfahlan R, Akbari M. Exosome-mediated tumor metastasis: Biology, molecular targets and immuno-therapeutic options. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155083. [PMID: 38277749 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles called exosomes play a crucial part in promoting intercellular communication. They act as intermediaries for the exchange of bioactive chemicals between cells, released into the extracellular milieu by a variety of cell types. Within the context of cancer progression, metastasis is a complex process that plays a significant role in the spread of malignant cells from their main site of origin to distant anatomical locations. This complex process plays a key role in the domain of cancer-related deaths. In summary, the trajectory of current research in the field of exosome-mediated metastasis is characterized by its unrelenting quest for more profound understanding of the molecular nuances, the development of innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches, and the unwavering dedication to transforming these discoveries into revolutionary clinical applications. This unrelenting pursuit represents a shared desire to improve the prognosis for individuals suffering from metastatic cancer and to nudge the treatment paradigm in the direction of more effective and customized interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amin Kamrani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazanin Nazari
- Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Jafari
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadi Nasiri
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Rana Jahanban-Esfahlan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Morteza Akbari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Velusamy A, Sharma R, Rashid SA, Ogasawara H, Salaita K. DNA mechanocapsules for programmable piconewton responsive drug delivery. Nat Commun 2024; 15:704. [PMID: 38267454 PMCID: PMC10808132 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44061-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: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanical dysregulation of cells is associated with a number of disease states, that spans from fibrosis to tumorigenesis. Hence, it is highly desirable to develop strategies to deliver drugs based on the "mechanical phenotype" of a cell. To achieve this goal, we report the development of DNA mechanocapsules (DMC) comprised of DNA tetrahedrons that are force responsive. Modeling shows the trajectory of force-induced DMC rupture and predicts how applied force spatial position and orientation tunes the force-response threshold. DMCs functionalized with adhesion ligands mechanically denature in vitro as a result of cell receptor forces. DMCs are designed to encapsulate macromolecular cargos such as dextran and oligonucleotide drugs with minimal cargo leakage and high nuclease resistance. Force-induced release and uptake of DMC cargo is validated using flow cytometry. Finally, we demonstrate force-induced mRNA knockdown of HIF-1α in a manner that is dependent on the magnitude of cellular traction forces. These results show that DMCs can be effectively used to target biophysical phenotypes which may find useful applications in immunology and cancer biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Radhika Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mierke CT. Extracellular Matrix Cues Regulate Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction of Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:96. [PMID: 38201302 PMCID: PMC10777970 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010096] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular biophysical properties have particular implications for a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors and functions, including growth, motility, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, and signal transduction including mechanotransduction. Cells not only react to unambiguously mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), but can occasionally manipulate the mechanical features of the matrix in parallel with biological characteristics, thus interfering with downstream matrix-based cues in both physiological and pathological processes. Bidirectional interactions between cells and (bio)materials in vitro can alter cell phenotype and mechanotransduction, as well as ECM structure, intentionally or unintentionally. Interactions between cell and matrix mechanics in vivo are of particular importance in a variety of diseases, including primarily cancer. Stiffness values between normal and cancerous tissue can range between 500 Pa (soft) and 48 kPa (stiff), respectively. Even the shear flow can increase from 0.1-1 dyn/cm2 (normal tissue) to 1-10 dyn/cm2 (cancerous tissue). There are currently many new areas of activity in tumor research on various biological length scales, which are highlighted in this review. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between ECM and cancer cells is reduced to common features of different tumors and the characteristics are highlighted to identify the main pathways of interaction. This all contributes to the standardization of mechanotransduction models and approaches, which, ultimately, increases the understanding of the complex interaction. Finally, both the in vitro and in vivo effects of this mechanics-biology pairing have key insights and implications for clinical practice in tumor treatment and, consequently, clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mierke CT. Editorial: In celebration of women in cell adhesion and migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1348958. [PMID: 38146493 PMCID: PMC10749420 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1348958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Systems Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Du Z, Yang S, Gong Q, Lin Z, Xiao G, Mi S. Research of restricted migration evaluation of MDA-MB-231 cells in 2D and 3D co-culture models. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:2219-2226. [PMID: 38240216 PMCID: PMC10903235 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231214269] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The restricted migration evaluation is conducive to more complex tumor migration research because of the conformity with in vivo tumors. However, the differences between restricted and unrestricted cell migration and the distinction between different evaluation methods have not been systematically studied, hindering related research. In this study, by constructing the restricted environments on chips, the influence of co-culture conditions on the cancer cell migration capacity was studied. The results showed that the restricted channels can discriminate the influence of weak tumor environmental factors on complex tumor migration behaviors by limiting the free growth instinct of tumor cells. Through the comparison of 2D and 3D restricted migration methods, the extracellular matrix (ECM) restriction was also helpful in distinguishing the influence of the weak tumor environmental factor. However, the 3D ECM can better reflect the tortuosity of the cell migration process and the cooperative behavior among cancer cells. In the anticancer drug evaluation, 3D ECM can more accurately reflect the cytotoxicity of drugs and is more consistent with the drug resistance in the human body. In conclusion, the research will help to distinguish different evaluation methods of cancer cell migration, help researchers select appropriate evaluation models, and promote the research of tumor metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichang Du
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
- Bio-manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shaohui Yang
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Renewable Energy Equipment of Fujian Province, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Qingzhong Gong
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Zhonghua Lin
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Guohong Xiao
- College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Shengli Mi
- Bio-manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Valdivia A, Avalos AM, Leyton L. Thy-1 (CD90)-regulated cell adhesion and migration of mesenchymal cells: insights into adhesomes, mechanical forces, and signaling pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1221306. [PMID: 38099295 PMCID: PMC10720913 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1221306] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion and migration depend on the assembly and disassembly of adhesive structures known as focal adhesions. Cells adhere to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and form these structures via receptors, such as integrins and syndecans, which initiate signal transduction pathways that bridge the ECM to the cytoskeleton, thus governing adhesion and migration processes. Integrins bind to the ECM and soluble or cell surface ligands to form integrin adhesion complexes (IAC), whose composition depends on the cellular context and cell type. Proteomic analyses of these IACs led to the curation of the term adhesome, which is a complex molecular network containing hundreds of proteins involved in signaling, adhesion, and cell movement. One of the hallmarks of these IACs is to sense mechanical cues that arise due to ECM rigidity, as well as the tension exerted by cell-cell interactions, and transduce this force by modifying the actin cytoskeleton to regulate cell migration. Among the integrin/syndecan cell surface ligands, we have described Thy-1 (CD90), a GPI-anchored protein that possesses binding domains for each of these receptors and, upon engaging them, stimulates cell adhesion and migration. In this review, we examine what is currently known about adhesomes, revise how mechanical forces have changed our view on the regulation of cell migration, and, in this context, discuss how we have contributed to the understanding of signaling mechanisms that control cell adhesion and migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Valdivia
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ana María Avalos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisette Leyton
- Cellular Communication Laboratory, Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Center for Studies on Exercise, Metabolism and Cancer (CEMC), Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kwon S, Han SJ, Kim KS. Differential response of MDA‑MB‑231 breast cancer and MCF10A normal breast cells to cytoskeletal disruption. Oncol Rep 2023; 50:200. [PMID: 37772386 PMCID: PMC10565893 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8637] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis remains a major clinical problem in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer‑related mortality but is still poorly understood. Cytoskeletal proteins are considered potential therapeutic targets for metastatic cancer cells because the cytoskeleton serves a key role in the migration and invasion of these cells. Vimentin and F‑actin exhibit several functional similarities and undergo quantitative and structural changes during carcinogenesis. The present study investigated the effects of vimentin and F‑actin deficiency on the survival and motility of breast cancer cells. In metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA‑MB‑231) and breast epithelial cells (MCF10A), vimentin was knocked down by small interfering RNA and F‑actin was depolymerized by latrunculin A, respectively. The effect of reduced vimentin and F‑actin content on cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay and the proliferative capacity was compared by analyzing the recovery rate. The effect on motility was analyzed based on two processes: The distance traveled by tracking the cell nucleus and the movement of the protrusions. The effects on cell elasticity were measured using atomic force microscopy. Separately reducing vimentin or F‑actin did not effectively inhibit the growth and motility of MDA‑MB‑231 cells; however, when both vimentin and F‑actin were simultaneously deficient, MDA‑MB‑231 cells growth and migration were severely impaired. Vimentin deficiency in MDA‑MB‑231 cells was compensated by an increase in F‑actin polymerization, but no complementary action of vimentin on the decrease in F‑actin was observed. In MCF10A cells, no complementary interaction was observed for both vimentin and F‑actin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangwoo Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jik Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Sook Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ildiz ES, Gvozdenovic A, Kovacs WJ, Aceto N. Travelling under pressure - hypoxia and shear stress in the metastatic journey. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023; 40:375-394. [PMID: 37490147 PMCID: PMC10495280 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10224-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell invasion, intravasation and survival in the bloodstream are early steps of the metastatic process, pivotal to enabling the spread of cancer to distant tissues. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a highly selected subpopulation of cancer cells that tamed these critical steps, and a better understanding of their biology and driving molecular principles may facilitate the development of novel tools to prevent metastasis. Here, we describe key research advances in this field, aiming at describing early metastasis-related processes such as collective invasion, shedding, and survival of CTCs in the bloodstream, paying particular attention to microenvironmental factors like hypoxia and mechanical stress, considered as important influencers of the metastatic journey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ece Su Ildiz
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Gvozdenovic
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Werner J Kovacs
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang F, Liao R, Wang X, Xiong G, Zhang B, Li J, Wu D, Chen Y, Zhou X, Gu X, Qi Q, Li C. N-3, a novel synthetic derivative of bifendate, inhibits metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via decreasing p38-regulated FOXC1 protein stability. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115729. [PMID: 37558004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with high invasiveness, metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is pivotal in TNBC progression, becoming a promising target for TNBC treatment. Our study evaluated N-3, a novel synthetic bifendate derivative, which inhibited the EMT-associated migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 TNBC cells. The results were consistent with the suppression of FOXC1 expression and transcriptional activity. Additional studies indicated that N-3 reduced the protein stability of FOXC1 by enhancing ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, N-3 downregulated p-p38 expression and FOXC1 interaction, decreasing the stability of p38-regulated FOXC1. Further, N-3 blocked TNBC metastasis with an artificial lung metastasis model in vivo, related to FOXC1 suppression and EMT. These results highlight the potential of N-3 as a TNBC metastasis treatment. Therefore, FOXC1 regulation could be a novel targeted therapeutic strategy for TNBC metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Liao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China; Department of Pharmacy, Xuzhou City Hospital of TCM, Xuzhou 221010, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guixiang Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengpan Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology of Materia Medica, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Xueyan Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoke Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chenglin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abraham A, Virdi S, Herrero N, Bryant I, Nwakama C, Jacob M, Khaparde G, Jordan D, McCuddin M, McKinley S, Taylor A, Peeples C, Ekpenyong A. Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic for Exploring Biophysical Mechanisms of Chemotherapy-Induced Metastasis. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1653. [PMID: 37763816 PMCID: PMC10536821 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
There is rapidly emerging evidence from pre-clinical studies, patient samples and patient subpopulations that certain chemotherapeutics inadvertently produce prometastatic effects. Prior to this, we showed that doxorubicin and daunorubicin stiffen cells before causing cell death, predisposing the cells to clogging and extravasation, the latter being a step in metastasis. Here, we investigate which other anti-cancer drugs might have similar prometastatic effects by altering the biophysical properties of cells. We treated myelogenous (K562) leukemic cancer cells with the drugs nocodazole and hydroxyurea and then measured their mechanical properties using a microfluidic microcirculation mimetic (MMM) device, which mimics aspects of blood circulation and enables the measurement of cell mechanical properties via transit times through the device. We also quantified the morphological properties of cells to explore biophysical mechanisms underlying the MMM results. Results from MMM measurements show that nocodazole- and hydroxyurea-treated K562 cells exhibit significantly altered transit times. Nocodazole caused a significant (p < 0.01) increase in transit times, implying a stiffening of cells. This work shows the feasibility of using an MMM to explore possible biophysical mechanisms that might contribute to chemotherapy-induced metastasis. Our work also suggests cell mechanics as a therapeutic target for much needed antimetastatic strategies in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Abraham
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Sukhman Virdi
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Nick Herrero
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Israel Bryant
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Chisom Nwakama
- Chemistry Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA;
| | - Megha Jacob
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Gargee Khaparde
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Destiny Jordan
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Mackenzie McCuddin
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Spencer McKinley
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Adam Taylor
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Conner Peeples
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Andrew Ekpenyong
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mierke CT. Editorial: Editorial for mechanical and structural phenotypes of cells and extracellular matrices govern cell adhesion and migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1256311. [PMID: 37576605 PMCID: PMC10420056 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1256311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hayn A, Fischer T, Mierke CT. The role of ADAM8 in the mechanophenotype of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in 3D extracellular matrices. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1148162. [PMID: 37287457 PMCID: PMC10242107 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1148162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of investigations of cancer cells have been performed in an oversimplified 2D in vitro environment. In the last decade there is a trend toward more sophisticated 3D in vitro cell culture model systems that can bridge the existing gap between 2D in vitro and in vivo experiments in the field of biophysical and cell biological cancer cell research. Here, we hypothesize that the bidirectional interplay between breast cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment is critical for the outcome of the disease. Thereby, the tissue remodeling processes evoked by cancer cells are important for cancer cell-driven mechanical probing of their matrix environment and on cancer cell adhesion and motility. When remodeling processes have been explored, the emphasis was placed on matrix metalloproteinases and rather not on a disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs). However, the role of ADAM8 in cell mechanics regulating cellular motility in 3D collagen matrices is still unclear. Thus, in this study, we focus on the function of ADAM8 in matrix remodeling and migration of 3D extracellular matrix scaffolds. Therefore, human MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells with ADAM8 knocked down, referred to as ADAM8-KD cells, as well as MDA-MB-231 scrambled control cells, referred to as ADAM8-Ctrl cells, have been used to examine their ability to interact with and migrate in dense extracellular 3D matrices. The fiber displacements, as the capacity of cells to deform the environmental 3D matrix scaffold, has been observed. ADAM8-KD cells displace collagen fibers more strongly than ADAM8-Ctrl cells. Moreover, ADAM8-KD cells migrated more numerous in 3D collagen matrices compared to ADAM8-Ctrl cells. The impairment of ADAM8 using the ADAM8 inhibitor BK-1361 led to significantly increased fiber displacements of ADAM8-Ctrl cells to the levels of ADAM8-KD cells. In contrast, the inhibitor had no effect on ADAM8-KD cells in terms of fiber displacements as well as on the quantitative characteristics of cell invasion of ADAM8-Ctrl cells, albeit the cells that were found in the matrix invaded considerably deeper. When matrix remodeling by cells is impaired through GM6001, a broad-band metalloproteinase inhibitor, the fiber displacements of both cell types increased. In fact, ADAM8 is known to degrade fibronectin in a direct and/or indirect manner. The supplementation of fibronectin before polymerization of the 3D collagen matrices caused an enhancement in fiber displacements as well as in cell invasion into fibronectin-collagen matrices of ADAM8-Ctrl cells, whereas the fiber displacements of ADAM8-KD cells did not change. However, fibrinogen and laminin supplementation induced an increase in fiber displacements of both cell types. Thus, the impact of fibronectin on selective increase in fiber displacement of ADAM8-Ctrl cells appears to be ADAM8-dependent. As a consequence, the presence of ADAM8 may provide an explanation for the longstanding controversial results of fibronectin enrichment on malignant progression of cancers such as breast cancer. Finally, ADAM8 is apparently essential for providing cell-driven fiber displacements of the extracellular matrix microenvironment, which fosters 3D motility in a fibronectin-rich environment. Contribution to the field. Currently, the role of ADAM8 has been explored in 2D or at maximum 2.5D in vitro cell culture motility assays. However, the mechanical characteristics of these two cell types have not been examined. In this study, the function of ADAM8 in breast cancer is refined by providing in vitro cell investigations in 3D collagen fiber matrices of various conditions. ADAM8 has been shown to be involved in the reduced generation of fiber displacements and in influencing breast cancer cell migration. However, especially in the presence of fibronectin in 3Dcollagen fiber matrices, the fiber displacements of ADAM8-Ctrl cells are increased.
Collapse
|
15
|
Hanafy NAN. Extracellular alkaline pH enhances migratory behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma cells as a caution against the indiscriminate application of alkalinizing drug therapy: In vitro microscopic studies. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152032. [PMID: 37119607 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152032] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The migratory process is a highly organized, differentiated, and polarized stage by which many signaling pathways are regulated to control cell migration. Since the significant evidence of migrating cells is the reorganization of the cytoskeleton. In the recent study, the cell migration model was assessed on the fact that any disruption obtained in the cellular monolayer confluent, may cause stimulation for surrounding cells to migrate. We attempt to demonstrate the morphological alterations associated with these migrating cells. In this case, sterilized 1 N NaOH (1 µl) was used as alkaline burnt. It leads to scratching the monolayer of hepatocellular carcinoma (HLF cell line) allowing cells to lose their connection. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescence microscopy, light inverted microscopy, and dark field were used for discovering the morphological alterations associated with migrating cancer cells. The findings show that cells exhibited distinctive alterations including a polarizing stage, accumulation of the actin nodules in front of the nucleus, and protrusions. Nuclei appeared as lobulated shapes during migration. Lamellipodia and uropod were extended as well. Additionally, TGFβ1 proved its expression in HLF and SNU449 after their stimulation. It is demonstrated that hepatocellular carcinoma cells can migrate after their stimulation and there is a caution against the indiscriminate application of alkalinizing drug therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nemany A N Hanafy
- Nanomedicine group, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Kafrelsheikh University, 33516 Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Le TTH, Ngo TH, Nguyen TH, Hoang VH, Nguyen VH, Nguyen PH. Anti-cancer activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Ardisia gigantifolia leaf extract against gastric cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 661:99-107. [PMID: 37087804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.037] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Using extracts from herbs for silver nanoparticle synthesis is attracting attention for its anticancer activity. Ardisia gigantifolia is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating stomach ailments, and some compounds isolated from this plant exhibit the inhibitory activity against different cancer cells. However, the synthesis of silver nanoparticle using extract of Ardisia gigantiflia leaves and their anti-cancer activity was not reported. In this report, the green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Ardisia gigantiflia extract (Arg-AgNPs) has average diameter of 6 nm with functional groups including O-H, C-H, and CO founded on the surface of these nanoparticles. The viability assays results revealed Arg-AgNPs reduced gastric cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 1.37 and 0.65 μg/mL for AGS cells and 1.03 and 0.96 μg/mL for MKN45 cells. Arg-AgNPs caused cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and suppressed cell migration. Additionally, Arg-AgNPs significantly increased the percentage of senescent cells and promoted overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to the control. Thus, this study indicates that Arg-AgNPs can be considered as a promising candidate against human gastric cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi Thanh Huong Le
- Faculty of Biotechnology, TNU- University of Sciences (TNUS), Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam
| | - Thu Ha Ngo
- Faculty of Biotechnology, TNU- University of Sciences (TNUS), Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam
| | - Thi Huong Nguyen
- Faculty of Biotechnology, TNU- University of Sciences (TNUS), Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam
| | - Van Hung Hoang
- Thai Nguyen University (TNU), Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam
| | - Van Hao Nguyen
- Institute of Science and Technology, TNU - University of Sciences (TNUS), Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam.
| | - Phu Hung Nguyen
- Faculty of Biotechnology, TNU- University of Sciences (TNUS), Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam; Center of Interdisciplinary Science and Education, Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen LK, Hsieh CC, Huang YC, Huang YJ, Lung CF, Hsu WE, Yao CL, Tseng TY, Wang CC, Hsu YC. Mechanical Stretch Promotes Invasion of Lung Cancer Cells via Activation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-022-0260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
|
18
|
Bouzos E, Asuri P. Sandwich Culture Platforms to Investigate the Roles of Stiffness Gradients and Cell–Matrix Adhesions in Cancer Cell Migration. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061729. [PMID: 36980615 PMCID: PMC10046033 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the key role of cell migration in cancer metastasis, there is a critical need for in vitro models that better capture the complexities of in vivo cancer cell microenvironments. Using both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture models, recent research has demonstrated the role of both matrix and ligand densities in cell migration. Here, we leveraged our previously developed 2.5D sandwich culture platform to foster a greater understanding of the adhesion-dependent migration of glioblastoma cells with a stiffness gradient. Using this model, we demonstrated the differential role of stiffness gradients in migration in the presence and absence of adhesion moieties. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between the density of cell adhesion moieties and migration, and a diminished role of stiffness gradients at higher densities of adhesion moieties. These results, i.e., the reduced impact of stiffness gradients on adhesion-dependent migration relative to adhesion-independent migration, were confirmed using inhibitors of both mechanotransduction and cell adhesion. Taken together, our work demonstrates the utility of sandwich culture platforms that present stiffness gradients to study both adhesion-dependent and -independent cell migration and to help expand the existing portfolio of in vitro models of cancer metastasis.
Collapse
|
19
|
Leonov S, Inyang O, Achkasov K, Bogdan E, Kontareva E, Chen Y, Fu Y, Osipov AN, Pustovalova M, Merkher Y. Proteomic Markers for Mechanobiological Properties of Metastatic Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054773. [PMID: 36902201 PMCID: PMC10003476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054773] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The major cause (more than 90%) of all cancer-related deaths is metastasis, thus its prediction can critically affect the survival rate. Metastases are currently predicted by lymph-node status, tumor size, histopathology and genetic testing; however, all these are not infallible, and obtaining results may require weeks. The identification of new potential prognostic factors will be an important source of risk information for the practicing oncologist, potentially leading to enhanced patient care through the proactive optimization of treatment strategies. Recently, the new mechanobiology-related techniques, independent of genetics, based on the mechanical invasiveness of cancer cells (microfluidic, gel indentation assays, migration assays etc.), demonstrated a high success rate for the detection of tumor cell metastasis propensity. However, they are still far away from clinical implementation due to complexity. Hence, the exploration of novel markers related to the mechanobiological properties of tumor cells may have a direct impact on the prognosis of metastasis. Our concise review deepens our knowledge of the factors that regulate cancer cell mechanotype and invasion, and incites further studies to develop therapeutics that target multiple mechanisms of invasion for improved clinical benefit. It may open a new clinical dimension that will improve cancer prognosis and increase the effectiveness of tumor therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Leonov
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Olumide Inyang
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Konstantin Achkasov
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Elizaveta Bogdan
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Elizaveta Kontareva
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Andreyan N. Osipov
- State Research Center—Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical-Biological Agency, 123098 Moscow, Russia
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Margarita Pustovalova
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
- State Research Center—Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical-Biological Agency, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Merkher
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mierke CT. Physical and biological advances in endothelial cell-based engineered co-culture model systems. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 147:58-69. [PMID: 36732105 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.01.012] [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] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Scientific knowledge in the field of cell biology and mechanobiology heavily leans on cell-based in vitro experiments and models that favor the examination and comprehension of certain biological processes and occurrences across a variety of environments. Cell culture assays are an invaluable instrument for a vast spectrum of biomedical and biophysical investigations. The quality of experimental models in terms of simplicity, reproducibility, and combinability with other methods, and in particular the scale at which they depict cell fate in native tissues, is critical to advancing the knowledge of the comprehension of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in tissues and organs. Typically, in vitro models are centered on the experimental tinkering of mammalian cells, most often cultured as monolayers on planar, two-dimensional (2D) materials. Notwithstanding the significant advances and numerous findings that have been accomplished with flat biology models, their usefulness for generating further new biological understanding is constrained because the simple 2D setting does not reproduce the physiological response of cells in natural living tissues. In addition, the co-culture systems in a 2D stetting weakly mirror their natural environment of tissues and organs. Significant advances in 3D cell biology and matrix engineering have resulted in the creation and establishment of a new type of cell culture shapes that more accurately represents the in vivo microenvironment and allows cells and their interactions to be analyzed in a biomimetic approach. Contemporary biomedical and biophysical science has novel advances in technology that permit the design of more challenging and resilient in vitro models for tissue engineering, with a particular focus on scaffold- or hydrogel-based formats, organotypic cultures, and organs-on-chips, which cover the purposes of co-cultures. Even these complex systems must be kept as simplified as possible in order to grasp a particular section of physiology too very precisely. In particular, it is highly appreciated that they bridge the space between conventional animal research and human (patho)physiology. In this review, the recent progress in 3D biomimetic culturation is presented with a special focus on co-cultures, with an emphasis on the technological building blocks and endothelium-based co-culture models in cancer research that are available for the development of more physiologically relevant in vitro models of human tissues under normal and diseased conditions. Through applications and samples of various physiological and disease models, it is possible to identify the frontiers and future engagement issues that will have to be tackled to integrate synthetic biomimetic culture systems far more successfully into biomedical and biophysical investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mierke CT. The versatile roles of ADAM8 in cancer cell migration, mechanics, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1130823. [PMID: 36910158 PMCID: PMC9995898 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1130823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The posttranslational proteolytic cleavage is a unique and irreversible process that governs the function and half-life of numerous proteins. Thereby the role of the family of A disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) plays a leading part. A member of this family, ADAM8, has gained attention in regulating disorders, such as neurogenerative diseases, immune function and cancer, by attenuating the function of proteins nearby the extracellular membrane leaflet. This process of "ectodomain shedding" can alter the turnover rate of a number of transmembrane proteins that function in cell adhesion and receptor signal transduction. In the past, the major focus of research about ADAMs have been on neurogenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer, however, there seems to be evidence for a connection between ADAM8 and cancer. The role of ADAMs in the field of cancer research has gained recent attention, but it has been not yet been extensively addressed. Thus, this review article highlights the various roles of ADAM8 with particular emphasis on pathological conditions, such as cancer and malignant cancer progression. Here, the shedding function, direct and indirect matrix degradation, effects on cancer cell mobility and transmigration, and the interplay of ADAM8 with matrix-embedded neighboring cells are presented and discussed. Moreover, the most probable mechanical impact of ADAM8 on cancer cells and their matrix environment is addressed and debated. In summary, this review presents recent advances in substrates/ligands and functions of ADAM8 in its new role in cancer and its potential link to cell mechanical properties and discusses matrix mechanics modifying properties. A deeper comprehension of the regulatory mechanisms governing the expression, subcellular localization, and activity of ADAM8 is expected to reveal appropriate drug targets that will permit a more tailored and fine-tuned modification of its proteolytic activity in cancer development and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
3D printing of bio-instructive materials: Toward directing the cell. Bioact Mater 2023; 19:292-327. [PMID: 35574057 PMCID: PMC9058956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
|
23
|
Solbu AA, Caballero D, Damigos S, Kundu SC, Reis RL, Halaas Ø, Chahal AS, Strand BL. Assessing cell migration in hydrogels: An overview of relevant materials and methods. Mater Today Bio 2022; 18:100537. [PMID: 36659998 PMCID: PMC9842866 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is essential in numerous living processes, including embryonic development, wound healing, immune responses, and cancer metastasis. From individual cells to collectively migrating epithelial sheets, the locomotion of cells is tightly regulated by multiple structural, chemical, and biological factors. However, the high complexity of this process limits the understanding of the influence of each factor. Recent advances in materials science, tissue engineering, and microtechnology have expanded the toolbox and allowed the development of biomimetic in vitro assays to investigate the mechanisms of cell migration. Particularly, three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels have demonstrated a superior ability to mimic the extracellular environment. They are therefore well suited to studying cell migration in a physiologically relevant and more straightforward manner than in vivo approaches. A myriad of synthetic and naturally derived hydrogels with heterogeneous characteristics and functional properties have been reported. The extensive portfolio of available hydrogels with different mechanical and biological properties can trigger distinct biological responses in cells affecting their locomotion dynamics in 3D. Herein, we describe the most relevant hydrogels and their associated physico-chemical characteristics typically employed to study cell migration, including established cell migration assays and tracking methods. We aim to give the reader insight into existing literature and practical details necessary for performing cell migration studies in 3D environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Akbarzadeh Solbu
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - David Caballero
- 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, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal,ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Spyridon Damigos
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Subhas C. Kundu
- 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, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal,ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017, Braga/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, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal,ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Øyvind Halaas
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Aman S. Chahal
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway,Corresponding author. Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Berit L. Strand
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, NOBIPOL, NTNU- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Nagle I, Richert A, Quinteros M, Janel S, Buysschaert E, Luciani N, Debost H, Thevenet V, Wilhelm C, Prunier C, Lafont F, Padilla-Benavides T, Boissan M, Reffay M. Surface tension of model tissues during malignant transformation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:926322. [PMID: 36111347 PMCID: PMC9468677 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.926322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition is associated with migration, invasion, and metastasis. The translation at the tissue scale of these changes has not yet been enlightened while being essential in the understanding of tumor progression. Thus, biophysical tools dedicated to measurements on model tumor systems are needed to reveal the impact of epithelial–mesenchymal transition at the collective cell scale. Herein, using an original biophysical approach based on magnetic nanoparticle insertion inside cells, we formed and flattened multicellular aggregates to explore the consequences of the loss of the metastasis suppressor NME1 on the mechanical properties at the tissue scale. Multicellular spheroids behave as viscoelastic fluids, and their equilibrium shape is driven by surface tension as measured by their deformation upon magnetic field application. In a model of breast tumor cells genetically modified for NME1, we correlated tumor invasion, migration, and adhesion modifications with shape maintenance properties by measuring surface tension and exploring both invasive and migratory potential as well as adhesion characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irène Nagle
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université Paris Cité and CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Alain Richert
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université Paris Cité and CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Michael Quinteros
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, United States
| | - Sébastien Janel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Edgar Buysschaert
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université Paris Cité and CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Luciani
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université Paris Cité and CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Henry Debost
- Sorbonne Université, Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Thevenet
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université Paris Cité and CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Claire Wilhelm
- Physico-Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 168, Paris, France
| | - Céline Prunier
- Sorbonne Université, Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Paris, France
| | - Frank Lafont
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Mathieu Boissan
- Sorbonne Université, Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Boissan, ; Myriam Reffay,
| | - Myriam Reffay
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université Paris Cité and CNRS, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Boissan, ; Myriam Reffay,
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Oh J, An H, Yeo HJ, Choi S, Oh J, Kim S, Kim JM, Choi J, Lee S. Colchicine as a novel drug for the treatment of osteosarcoma through drug repositioning based on an FDA drug library. Front Oncol 2022; 12:893951. [PMID: 36059694 PMCID: PMC9433722 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.893951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundColchicine is a traditional medication that is currently approved to treat gout and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). However, colchicine has a wide range of anti-inflammatory activities, and several studies have indicated that it may be useful in a variety of other conditions, such as rheumatic disease, cardiac disease, and cancer. Osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone sarcoma, is derived from primitive bone-forming mesenchymal cells. In this study, we investigated whether colchicine could be used to treat osteosarcoma through the regulation of cell cycle signaling.MethodsTwo human osteosarcoma cell lines, U2OS and Saos-2, were used. A clonogenic assay was used to determine the antiproliferative effects of colchicine on osteosarcoma cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. Migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of colchicine. The signaling pathways related to colchicine treatment were verified by GO biological process (GOBP) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses.ResultsColchicine was selected as the lead compound based on the results of initial screening and cell viability assays conducted in Saos-2 and U2Os cells. Colchicine reduced the viability of Saos-2 and U2OS cells in a concentration-dependent manner. It also significantly inhibited colony-forming ability and induced ROS production and apoptosis. It also inhibited the migration and invasion of both Saos-2 and U2OS cells. GOBP and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated the involvement of microtubule-based processes and cancer-related pathways.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that colchicine has therapeutic potential in osteosarcoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jisun Oh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Hyun−Ju An
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Hyun Jeong Yeo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Sujin Choi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Jisu Oh
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin-si, South Korea
| | - Segi Kim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Jin Man Kim
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Junwon Choi
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon-si, South Korea
| | - Soonchul Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam-si, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Soonchul Lee,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Choi J, Park S. A nanomechanical strategy involving focal adhesion kinase for overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2022; 43:102559. [PMID: 35390528 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite implementation of nanomechanical studies in cancer research, studies on the nanomechanical aspects of drug resistance in cancer are lacking. Here, we established the mechanical signatures of drug-resistant breast cancer cells using atomic force microscopy-based indentation techniques and functionalized nanopatterned substrates (NPS). Additionally, we examined the expression of proteins pertinent to focal adhesions in order to elucidate the molecular signatures responsible for the acquisition of drug resistance in breast cancer cells. Drug-resistant breast cancer cells exhibited mechanical reinforcement, increased actin stress fibers, dysfunctional mechano-reciprocal interaction with the NPS, vinculin overexpression, and improved focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity. Owing to differences in FAK activation upon co-treatment with a FAK inhibitor, the drug-resistant breast cancer cells were eradicated more efficiently than invasive breast cancer cells having pro-survival activity. These findings demonstrated the potential of a novel co-treatment regimen using FAK inhibitors for overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinsol Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeun Park
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Liu Z, Fu J, Yuan H, Ma B, Cao Z, Chen Y, Xing C, Niu X, Li N, Wang H, An H. Polyisocyanide hydrogels with tunable nonlinear elasticity mediate liver carcinoma cell functional response. Acta Biomater 2022; 148:152-162. [PMID: 35718101 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.06.022] [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: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma development is closely related to the changes in tissue mechanics induced by excess collagen deposition and crosslinking, which leads to liver fibrosis and malignant progression. The role of matrix stiffness has been widely assessed using various linearly elastic materials. However, the liver, like many soft tissues, also exhibits nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, allowing cells to mechanically interact with their micromilieus which has attracted much attention in cellular processes recently. Here, we use a biomimetic hydrogel grafting of GRGDS peptide with tunable nonlinear mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC), to investigate the influence of strain-stiffening on HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by tuning PIC polymer length. Compared to short PIC polymer with lower critical stress, PIC hydrogels composed of long polymer with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells, and induce more actin stress fibers and higher expression level of mechanotransducer YAP and its nuclear translocation. Strikingly, the expression of calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1, an important biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma, is also affected by the mechanical property of PIC hydrogels. It was also shown that downregulating the KCa3.1 channel can be achieved by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC hydrogels affects the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation, and ultimately influences the liver carcinoma cell functional response. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The effect of nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, is assessed in HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by using a biomimetic hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC). PIC gels with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells and induce upregulated expression levels of KCa3.1 potassium channel and YAP, but which can be suppressed by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC gels influences the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation and, ultimately affects the liver carcinoma cell functional response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Jingxuan Fu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China; School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, GuangRong Dao 8, Hongqiao District, Tianjin 300130, PR China
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Biao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Zhanshuo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Yafei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Chengfen Xing
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Xuezhi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China.
| | - Hailong An
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sayer S, Zandrini T, Markovic M, Van Hoorick J, Van Vlierberghe S, Baudis S, Holnthoner W, Ovsianikov A. Guiding cell migration in 3D with high-resolution photografting. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8626. [PMID: 35606455 PMCID: PMC9126875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11612-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-photon lithography (MPL) has proven to be a suitable tool to precisely control the microenvironment of cells in terms of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the hydrogel matrix. In this work, we present a novel method, based on multi-photon photografting of 4,4′-diazido-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DSSA), and its capabilities to induce cell alignment, directional cell migration and endothelial sprouting in a gelatin-based hydrogel matrix. DSSA-photografting allows for the fabrication of complex patterns at a high-resolution and is a biocompatible, universally applicable and straightforward process that is comparably fast. We have demonstrated the preferential orientation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) in response to a photografted pattern. Co-culture spheroids of hASCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have been utilized to study the directional migration of hASCs into the modified regions. Subsequently, we have highlighted the dependence of endothelial sprouting on the presence of hASCs and demonstrated the potential of photografting to control the direction of the sprouts. MPL-induced DSSA-photografting has been established as a promising method to selectively alter the microenvironment of cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sayer
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria
| | - Tommaso Zandrini
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marica Markovic
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasper Van Hoorick
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Vlierberghe
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Baudis
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria.,Polymer Chemistry and Technology Group, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Holnthoner
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria.,Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Traumatology, The Research Centre in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandr Ovsianikov
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria. .,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Peltanová B, Holcová Polanská H, Raudenská M, Balvan J, Navrátil J, Vičar T, Gumulec J, Čechová B, Kräter M, Guck J, Kalfeřt D, Grega M, Plzák J, Betka J, Masařík M. mRNA Subtype of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Significantly Affects Key Characteristics of Head and Neck Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2286. [PMID: 35565415 PMCID: PMC9102192 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) belong among severe and highly complex malignant diseases showing a high level of heterogeneity and consequently also a variance in therapeutic response, regardless of clinical stage. Our study implies that the progression of HNSCC may be supported by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and the heterogeneity of this disease may lie in the level of cooperation between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells, as communication between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells seems to be a key factor for the sustained growth of the tumour mass. In this study, we investigated how CAFs derived from tumours of different mRNA subtypes influence the proliferation of cancer cells and their metabolic and biomechanical reprogramming. We also investigated the clinicopathological significance of the expression of these metabolism-related genes in tissue samples of HNSCC patients to identify a possible gene signature typical for HNSCC progression. We found that the right kind of cooperation between cancer cells and CAFs is needed for tumour growth and progression, and only specific mRNA subtypes can support the growth of primary cancer cells or metastases. Specifically, during coculture, cancer cell colony supporting effect and effect of CAFs on cell stiffness of cancer cells are driven by the mRNA subtype of the tumour from which the CAFs are derived. The degree of colony-forming support is reflected in cancer cell glycolysis levels and lactate shuttle-related transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Peltanová
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Hana Holcová Polanská
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Martina Raudenská
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Jiří Navrátil
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Tomáš Vičar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Jaromír Gumulec
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Barbora Čechová
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Martin Kräter
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Staudtstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (M.K.); (J.G.)
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Staudtstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (M.K.); (J.G.)
| | - David Kalfeřt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Marek Grega
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jan Plzák
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Jan Betka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Michal Masařík
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ronaldson-Bouchard K, Baldassarri I, Tavakol DN, Graney PL, Samaritano M, Cimetta E, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Engineering complexity in human tissue models of cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114181. [PMID: 35278521 PMCID: PMC9035134 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major progress in the understanding and treatment of cancer have tremendously improved our knowledge of this complex disease and improved the length and quality of patients' lives. Still, major challenges remain, in particular with respect to cancer metastasis which still escapes effective treatment and remains responsible for 90% of cancer related deaths. In recent years, the advances in cancer cell biology, oncology and tissue engineering converged into the engineered human tissue models of cancer that are increasingly recapitulating many aspects of cancer progression and response to drugs, in a patient-specific context. The complexity and biological fidelity of these models, as well as the specific questions they aim to investigate, vary in a very broad range. When selecting and designing these experimental models, the fundamental question is "how simple is complex enough" to accomplish a specific goal of cancer research. Here we review the state of the art in developing and using the human tissue models in cancer research and developmental drug screening. We describe the main classes of models providing different levels of biological fidelity and complexity, discuss their advantages and limitations, and propose a framework for designing an appropriate model for a given study. We close by outlining some of the current needs, opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kacey Ronaldson-Bouchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ilaria Baldassarri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel Naveed Tavakol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pamela L Graney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Maria Samaritano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elisa Cimetta
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA; College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mechanobiology of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081945. [PMID: 35454852 PMCID: PMC9028036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081945] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is well documented that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type, responsible for high mortality in developed countries, resulting in a high socio-economic impact. Several biochemical and gene expression pathways explaining the manifestation of this cancer in humans have already been identified. However, explanations for some of the related biophysical mechanisms and their influence on CRC remain elusive. In CRC, biophysics and medical research have already revealed the importance of studying the effects of the stiffness and viscoelasticity of the substrate on cells, as well as the effect of the shear stress of blood and lymphatic vessels on the behavior of cells and tissues. A deeper understanding of the relationship between the biophysical cues and biochemical signals could be advantageous to develop new diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies. Being a disease with a high mortality rate, it becomes crucial to dedicate efforts to finding effective, alternative therapeutic strategies. Abstract In this review, the mechanobiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) are discussed. Mechanotransduction of CRC is addressed considering the relationship of several biophysical cues and biochemical pathways. Mechanobiology is focused on considering how it may influence epithelial cells in terms of motility, morphometric changes, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and metastization in CRC development. The roles of the tumor microenvironment, ECM, and stroma are also discussed, taking into account the influence of alterations and surface modifications on mechanical properties and their impact on epithelial cells and CRC progression. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the impact of flow shear stress is addressed in terms of how it affects CRC metastization. Finally, some insights concerning how the knowledge of biophysical mechanisms may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies and targeting molecules and how mechanical changes of the microenvironment play a role in CRC disease are presented.
Collapse
|
32
|
Mierke CT. Viscoelasticity, Like Forces, Plays a Role in Mechanotransduction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:789841. [PMID: 35223831 PMCID: PMC8864183 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.789841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viscoelasticity and its alteration in time and space has turned out to act as a key element in fundamental biological processes in living systems, such as morphogenesis and motility. Based on experimental and theoretical findings it can be proposed that viscoelasticity of cells, spheroids and tissues seems to be a collective characteristic that demands macromolecular, intracellular component and intercellular interactions. A major challenge is to couple the alterations in the macroscopic structural or material characteristics of cells, spheroids and tissues, such as cell and tissue phase transitions, to the microscopic interferences of their elements. Therefore, the biophysical technologies need to be improved, advanced and connected to classical biological assays. In this review, the viscoelastic nature of cytoskeletal, extracellular and cellular networks is presented and discussed. Viscoelasticity is conceptualized as a major contributor to cell migration and invasion and it is discussed whether it can serve as a biomarker for the cells’ migratory capacity in several biological contexts. It can be hypothesized that the statistical mechanics of intra- and extracellular networks may be applied in the future as a powerful tool to explore quantitatively the biomechanical foundation of viscoelasticity over a broad range of time and length scales. Finally, the importance of the cellular viscoelasticity is illustrated in identifying and characterizing multiple disorders, such as cancer, tissue injuries, acute or chronic inflammations or fibrotic diseases.
Collapse
|
33
|
Mierke CT. Viscoelasticity Acts as a Marker for Tumor Extracellular Matrix Characteristics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:785138. [PMID: 34950661 PMCID: PMC8691700 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.785138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological materials such as extracellular matrix scaffolds, cancer cells, and tissues are often assumed to respond elastically for simplicity; the viscoelastic response is quite commonly ignored. Extracellular matrix mechanics including the viscoelasticity has turned out to be a key feature of cellular behavior and the entire shape and function of healthy and diseased tissues, such as cancer. The interference of cells with their local microenvironment and the interaction among different cell types relies both on the mechanical phenotype of each involved element. However, there is still not yet clearly understood how viscoelasticity alters the functional phenotype of the tumor extracellular matrix environment. Especially the biophysical technologies are still under ongoing improvement and further development. In addition, the effect of matrix mechanics in the progression of cancer is the subject of discussion. Hence, the topic of this review is especially attractive to collect the existing endeavors to characterize the viscoelastic features of tumor extracellular matrices and to briefly highlight the present frontiers in cancer progression and escape of cancers from therapy. Finally, this review article illustrates the importance of the tumor extracellular matrix mechano-phenotype, including the phenomenon viscoelasticity in identifying, characterizing, and treating specific cancer types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Mierke CT. The Pertinent Role of Cell and Matrix Mechanics in Cell Adhesion and Migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:720494. [PMID: 34722504 PMCID: PMC8548417 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.720494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lamb MC, Kaluarachchi CP, Lansakara TI, Mellentine SQ, Lan Y, Tivanski AV, Tootle TL. Fascin limits Myosin activity within Drosophila border cells to control substrate stiffness and promote migration. eLife 2021; 10:69836. [PMID: 34698017 PMCID: PMC8547955 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A key regulator of collective cell migrations, which drive development and cancer metastasis, is substrate stiffness. Increased substrate stiffness promotes migration and is controlled by Myosin. Using Drosophila border cell migration as a model of collective cell migration, we identify, for the first time, that the actin bundling protein Fascin limits Myosin activity in vivo. Loss of Fascin results in: increased activated Myosin on the border cells and their substrate, the nurse cells; decreased border cell Myosin dynamics; and increased nurse cell stiffness as measured by atomic force microscopy. Reducing Myosin restores on-time border cell migration in fascin mutant follicles. Further, Fascin’s actin bundling activity is required to limit Myosin activation. Surprisingly, we find that Fascin regulates Myosin activity in the border cells to control nurse cell stiffness to promote migration. Thus, these data shift the paradigm from a substrate stiffness-centric model of regulating migration, to uncover that collectively migrating cells play a critical role in controlling the mechanical properties of their substrate in order to promote their own migration. This understudied means of mechanical regulation of migration is likely conserved across contexts and organisms, as Fascin and Myosin are common regulators of cell migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen C Lamb
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, United States
| | | | | | - Samuel Q Mellentine
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, United States
| | - Yiling Lan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Alexei V Tivanski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Tina L Tootle
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wang MM, Cui JF. Role of mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in tumors. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2021; 29:758-764. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v29.i14.758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of mechanotransduction mechanisms is the key to exploring biomechanical signal-regulated tumor malignant characteristics, and it is also the theoretical and practical basis for effective intervention from the upstream of mechanical cues. The discovery of the novel mechanosensitive ion channel protein Piezo1 (piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1) provides a new perspective for the study of mechanotransduction mechanism in tumors. This article summarizes some of the latest research progress of Piezo1 in modulating tumor progression, including inducing cell carcinogenesis; regulating cell cycle, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis; influencing tumor stemness and angiogenesis; as well as reprogramming tumor immune microenvironment, etc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Mi Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jie-Feng Cui
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jin M, Xu S, Li J, Li L, Tang C. Role of ARID1A in the Regulation of Human Trophoblast Migration and Invasion. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:2363-2373. [PMID: 34255312 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00686-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Migration and invasion of trophoblasts is critical for human placental development, trophoblastic differentiation, and pregnancy-associated diseases. AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A), a subunit of the SWI-SNF complex, has been suggested to participate in the regulation of fertility via placental disruption in mice. However, whether ARID1A regulates human placental development and function remains unknown. Here, using human trophoblast-like JEG-3 cell line, we report that ARID1A controls trophoblast cell migration and invasion. Overexpression of ARID1A inhibits JEG-3 cell migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of ARID1A promotes migration and invasion in JEG-3 cells. Mechanistically, while ARID1A reduces JEG-3 cell migration by down-regulation of Snail transcription, it restrains JEG-3 cell invasion by binding to and destabilization of MMP-9 protein. Finally, ARID1A is apparently up-regulated in placental tissues of preeclampsia compared to that of normal pregnancies. Our results thereby imply that ARID1A acts as a critical gene in supporting the physiological function of human mature placenta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiyuan Jin
- Department of Obstetrics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Shouying Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Jiayong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Lu Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chao Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
The extracellular matrix is a fundamental, core component of all tissues and organs, and is essential for the existence of multicellular organisms. From the earliest stages of organism development until death, it regulates and fine-tunes every cellular process in the body. In cancer, the extracellular matrix is altered at the biochemical, biomechanical, architectural and topographical levels, and recent years have seen an exponential increase in the study and recognition of the importance of the matrix in solid tumours. Coupled with the advancement of new technologies to study various elements of the matrix and cell-matrix interactions, we are also beginning to see the deployment of matrix-centric, stromal targeting cancer therapies. This Review touches on many of the facets of matrix biology in solid cancers, including breast, pancreatic and lung cancer, with the aim of highlighting some of the emerging interactions of the matrix and influences that the matrix has on tumour onset, progression and metastatic dissemination, before summarizing the ongoing work in the field aimed at developing therapies to co-target the matrix in cancer and cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Cox
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|