Density-Dependent Migration Characteristics of Cancer Cells Driven by Pseudopod Interaction

Undescribed diterpenes from Euphorbia mauritanica L. as modulators of the breast cancer resistance: Mechanistic and in silico studies

As part of efforts to identify natural modulators of multi-drug-resistant breast cancer, Euphorbia mauritanica L. chloroform extract yielded four undescribed oxygenated diterpenes, including three nor-ent-abietanes, euphomauritanol C-E (1-3), and one polyacylated jatrophane, euphomauritanolide A (4), along with two knowns, helioscopinolide A (5) and enukokurin (6). The chemical structures and configurations of compounds were established by combination of HRMS, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopic tools along with experimental and calculated TDDFT-ECD. The cytotoxicity evaluation of isolated compounds against the MCF-7ADR revealed 4 and 2 are the most potent with IC50 values of 3.2 ± 0.58 and 4.67 ± 0.29 μM, respectively. Co-administration of compounds 4 and 2 with DOX improved its cytotoxic effect, with a combination index value of 0.41 for 4, indicating a synergistic effect. Mechanistically, 4 modulated DOX anticancer properties via potentiating DOX-induced Go/G1 cell cycle arrest rather than G2M arrest of DOX alone and shifting the cell death of DOX to be mainly apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, 4 alone and combined with DOX showed promising anti-migratory effects against MCF-7ADR. In conclusion, 4 showed promising co-chemotherapeutic effects to the DOX against MCF-7ADR, indicating that this compound possesses potential as an auspicious lead chemical to target breast cancer cells resistant to doxorubicin.

How cells align to structured collagen fibrils: a hybrid cellular Potts and molecular dynamics model with dynamic mechanosensitive focal adhesions

Many mammalian cells, including endothelial cells and fibroblasts, align and elongate along the orientation of extracellular matrix (ECM) fibers in a gel when cultured in vitro. During cell elongation, clusters of focal adhesions (FAs) form near the poles of the elongating cells. FAs are mechanosensitive clusters of adhesions that grow under mechanical tension exerted by the cells' pulling on the ECM and shrink when the tension is released. In this study, we use mathematical modeling to study the hypothesis that mechanical reciprocity between cells and the ECM is sufficient for directing cell shape changes and orientation. We show that FAs are preferentially stabilized along the orientation of ECM fibers, where cells can generate higher tension than in directions perpendicular to the ECM fibers. We present a hybrid computational model coupling three mathematical approaches: first, the cellular Potts model (CPM) describes an individual contractile cell; second, molecular dynamics (MD) represent the ECM as a network of cross-linked, deformable fibers; third, a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) describes the dynamics of the cell's FAs, in terms of a balance between assembly and a mechanoresponsive disassembly. The resulting computational model shows that mechanical reciprocity suffices for stiffness-dependent cell spreading, local ECM remodeling, and ECM-alignment-dependent cell elongation. These combined effects are sufficient to explain how cell morphology is influenced by the local ECM structure and mechanics.

A Vicsek-type model of confined cancer cells with variable clustering affinities

Clustering of cells is an essential component of many biological processes from tissue formation to cancer metastasis. We develop a minimal, Vicsek-based model of cellular interactions that robustly and accurately captures the variable propensity of different cells to form groups when confined. We calibrate and validate the model with experimental data on clustering affinities of four lines of tumor cells. We then show that cell clustering or separation tendencies are retained in environments with higher cell number densities and in cell mixtures. Finally, we calibrate our model with experimental measurements on the separation of cells treated with anti-clustering agents and find that treated cells maintain their distances in denser suspensions. We show that the model reconstructs several cell interaction mechanisms, which makes it suitable for exploring the dynamics of cell cluster formation as well as cell separation. Insight: We developed a model of cellular interactions that captures the clustering and separation of cells in an enclosure. Our model is particularly relevant for microfluidic systems with confined cells and we centered our work around one such emerging assay for the detection and research on clustering breast cancer cells. We calibrated our model using the existing experimental data and used it to explore the functionality of the assay under a broader set of conditions than originally considered. Future usages of our model can include purely theoretical and computational considerations, exploring experimental devices, and supporting research on small to medium-sized cell clusters.

Bridging live-cell imaging and next-generation cancer treatment

By providing spatial, molecular and morphological data over time, live-cell imaging can provide a deeper understanding of the cellular and signalling events that determine cancer response to treatment. Understanding this dynamic response has the potential to enhance clinical outcome by identifying biomarkers or actionable targets to improve therapeutic efficacy. Here, we review recent applications of live-cell imaging for uncovering both tumour heterogeneity in treatment response and the mode of action of cancer-targeting drugs. Given the increasing uses of T cell therapies, we discuss the unique opportunity of time-lapse imaging for capturing the interactivity and motility of immunotherapies. Although traditionally limited in the number of molecular features captured, novel developments in multidimensional imaging and multi-omics data integration offer strategies to connect single-cell dynamics to molecular phenotypes. We review the effect of these recent technological advances on our understanding of the cellular dynamics of tumour targeting and discuss their implication for next-generation precision medicine.

Efficacy and selectivity of tumor-treating field therapy for triple-negative breast cancer cells via in-house delivery device

PURPOSE

Triple-negative breast cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death in women, making up 7% of all cancer deaths. Tumor-treating electric fields are low-energy, low-frequency oscillating electric fields that induce an anti-proliferative effect on mitotic cells in glioblastoma multiforme, non-small cell lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. Little is known about effects of tumor-treating fields on triple-negative breast cancer and known research for tumor-treating fields only utilizes low (< 3 V/cm) electric field intensities.

METHODS

We have developed an in-house field delivery device capable of high levels of customization to explore a much wider variety of electric field and treatment parameters. Furthermore, we investigated the selectivity of tumor-treating field treatment between triple-negative breast cancer and human breast epithelial cells.

RESULTS

Tumor-treating fields show greatest efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer cell lines between 1 and 3 V/cm electric field intensities while having little effect on epithelial cells.

CONCLUSION

These results provide a clear therapeutic window for tumor-treating field delivery to triple-negative breast cancer.