In Vitro Cancer Models: A Closer Look at Limitations on Translation

Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells in the Regulation of Immune Responses and Fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells (LSECs) play a crucial role in maintaining liver homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and fibrosis in liver diseases. This review explores the unique functions of LSECs in liver pathology, particularly their roles in immune tolerance, antigen presentation, and the modulation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during fibrosis. LSECs act as key regulators of immune balance in the liver by preventing excessive immune activation while also filtering antigens and interacting with immune cells, including Kupffer cells and T cells. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease(MAFLD) is significant because it can lead to advanced liver dysfunction, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. The prevalence of Metabolic Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) is increasing globally, particularly in the United States, and is closely linked to rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis and intervention are vital to prevent severe outcomes, highlighting the importance of studying LSECs in liver disease. However, during chronic liver diseases, LSECs undergo dysfunction, leading to their capillarization, loss of fenestrations, and promotion of pro-fibrotic signaling pathways such as Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which subsequently activates HSCs and contributes to the progression of liver fibrosis. The review also discusses the dynamic interaction between LSECs, HSCs, and other hepatic cells during the progression of liver diseases, emphasizing how changes in LSEC phenotype contribute to liver scarring and fibrosis. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of LSECs as therapeutic targets for modulating immune responses and preventing fibrosis in liver diseases. By restoring LSECs' function and targeting pathways associated with their dysfunction, novel therapies could be developed to halt or reverse liver disease progression. The findings of this review reinforce the importance of LSECs in liver pathology and suggest that they hold significant promises as targets for future treatment strategies aimed at addressing chronic liver diseases.

Bone marrow adipocytes in cancer: Mechanisms, models, and therapeutic implications

Adipose tissue is the primary site of energy storage in the body and a key regulator of metabolism. However, different adipose depots exhibit distinct molecular and phenotypic characteristics that have yet to be fully unraveled. While initially considered inert, bone marrow adipocytes (BMAs) have been recognized as key regulators of bone homeostasis, and more recently bone pathologies, although many unknowns remain. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on BMAs, focusing on their distinct characteristics, functional significance in bone physiology and metabolism, as well as their emerging role in cancer pathogenesis. We present and discuss the current methodologies for investigating BMA-cancer interactions, encompassing both in vitro 3D culture systems and in vivo models, and their limitations in accurately replicating the phenotypes and biological processes of the human species. We highlight the imperative for advancing towards humanized models to better mimic the complexities of human physiology and disease progression. Finally, therapeutic strategies targeting metabolism or BMA-secreted factors, such as anti-cholesterol drugs, hold considerable promise in cancer treatment. We present the synergistic avenue of combining conventional cancer therapies with agents targeting adipocyte signaling to amplify treatment efficacy. Developing preclinical models that more faithfully replicate human pathological and physiological processes will lead to more accurate mechanistic understanding of the role of BMAs in bone metastasis and lead to more relevant preclinical drug screening.

Two-photon polymerization of miniaturized 3D scaffolds optimized for studies on glioblastoma multiforme in spaceflight-like microgravity conditions

The obtainment of innovative models recalling complex tumour architectures and activitiesin vitrois a challenging drive in the understanding of pathology molecular bases, yet it is a crucial path to the identification of targets for advanced oncotherapy. Cell environment recapitulation by 3D scaffolding and gravitational unloading of cell cultures represent powerful means in tumour biomimicry processes, but their simultaneous adoption has consistently been explored only in the latest decade. Here, an unprecedented bioengineering approach capitalizing on spaceflight biology practice is proposed for modelling of glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive neoplasm that affects the central nervous system and has poorly effective pharmacological and radiological countermeasures. Tumour modelling was pursued by the original implementation of two-photon polymerization in fast prototyping of 3D scaffolds on flexible substrates for U87-MG glioma cell culture, and by the exposure of cell-laden scaffolds to simulated microgravity (s-μg). Realistic spaceflight conditions were applied to collect preliminary information suitable for testing of U87-MG cell-laden scaffold in low Earth orbit. Responses of glioma cells anchored to 3D scaffolds were investigated by microscopy, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and proteomic analyses, revealing synergic regulatory effects of cell scaffolding and s-μg on markers of tumour cell growth, metabolism and invasiveness.

Empowering High Throughput Screening of 3D Models: Automated Dispensing of Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Cells

Purpose

Cervical and endometrial cancers pose significant challenges in women's healthcare due to their high mortality rates and limited treatment options. High throughput screening (HTS) of cervical and endometrial cancer in vitro models offers a promising avenue for drug repurposing and broadening patient treatment options. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell-based screenings have limited capabilities to capture crucial multicellular interactions, that are improved upon in three dimensional (3D) multicellular tissue engineered models. However, manual fabrication of the 3D platforms is both time consuming and subject to variability. Thus, the goal of this study was to utilize automated cell dispensing to fabricate 3D cell-based HTS platforms using the HP D100 Single Cell Dispenser to dispense cervical and endometrial cancer cells.

Methods

We evaluated the effects of automated dispensing of the cancer cell lines by tuning the dispensing protocol to align with cell size measured in solution and the minimum cell number for acceptable cell viability and proliferation. We modified our previously reported coculture models of cervical and endometrial cancer to be in a 384 well plate format and measured microvessel length and cancer cell invasion.

Results

Automatically and manually dispensed cells were directly compared revealing minimal differences between the dispensing methods. These findings suggest that automated dispensing of cancer cells minimally affects cell behavior and can be deployed to decrease in vitro model fabrication time.

Conclusions

By streamlining the manufacturing process, automated dispensing holds promise for enhancing efficiency and scalability of 3D in vitro HTS platforms, ultimately contributing to advancement in cancer research and treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-024-00841-y.

Biological Effect of Food for Special Medical Purposes (NutramilTM Complex) on Melanoma Cells in In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Melanoma malignum is considered the most dangerous form of skin cancer, characterized by the exceptional resistance to many conventional chemotherapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NutramilTM Complex (NC)-Food for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP), on two types of melanoma cell lines, primary WM115 and malignant WM266-4.

METHODS

At 24 h after seeding, growth medium was replaced with a medium containing encoded treatments of NC or NC-CC (NutramilTM Complex without calcium caseinate) at various concentrations. Cells were treated for 24, 48, and 72 h.

RESULTS

Our results showed that NutramilTM Complex reduces proliferation of malignant melanoma WM266-4 cells but did not affect the proliferation of WM115 primary melanoma. This was followed by measured down-regulation of selected pro-survival proteins expression in WM266-4 cells, specifically ERK1/2, AKT-1, HSP27, Survivin, and TAK1. Interestingly, our results showed elevated levels of some pro-apoptotic proteins in both cell lines, including Bad, Smad2, p38MAPK, cleaved forms of Caspase-3/7, as well as cleaved PARP.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results indicate that various melanoma cancer cell lines may respond in a different way to the same compound. They also suggest induction of apoptotic pathway by NutramilTM Complex as the most likely mechanism of its anticarcinogenic activity.

Organoids technology for advancing the clinical translation of cancer nanomedicine

The past decades have witnessed the rapid development and widespread application of nanomedicines in cancer treatment; however, the clinical translation of experimental findings has been low, as evidenced by the low percentage of commercialized nanomedicines. Incomplete understanding of nanomedicine-tumor interactions and inappropriate evaluation models are two important challenges limiting the clinical translation of cancer nanomedicines. Currently, nanomedicine-tumor interaction and therapeutic effects are mainly investigated using cell lines or mouse models, which do not recapitulate the complex tumor microenvironment in human patients. Thus, information obtained from cell lines and mouse models cannot provide adequate guidance for the rational redesign of nanomedicine. Compared with other preclinical models, tumor organoids constructed from patient-derived tumor tissues are superior in retaining the key histopathological, genetic, and phenotypic features of the parent tumor. We speculate that organoid technology would help elucidate nanomedicine-tumor interaction in the tumor microenvironment and guide the design of nanomedicine, making it a reliable tool to accurately predict drug responses in patients with cancer. This review highlighted the advantages of drug delivery systems in cancer treatment, challenges limiting the clinical translation of antitumor nanomedicines, and potential application of patient-derived organoids (PDO) in nanomedicine. We propose that combining organoids and nanotechnology would facilitate the development of safe and effective cancer nanomedicines and accelerate their clinical application. This review discussed the potential translational value of integrative research using organoids and cancer nanomedicine. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

Green Routes for Bio-Fabrication in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications

In the last decade, significant advances in nanotechnologies, rising from increasing knowledge and refining of technical practices in green chemistry and bioengineering, enabled the design of innovative devices suitable for different biomedical applications. In particular, novel bio-sustainable methodologies are developing to fabricate drug delivery systems able to sagely mix properties of materials (i.e., biocompatibility, biodegradability) and bioactive molecules (i.e., bioavailability, selectivity, chemical stability), as a function of the current demands for the health market. The present work aims to provide an overview of recent developments in the bio-fabrication methods for designing innovative green platforms, emphasizing the relevant impact on current and future biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Differential Effects of Iron Chelates vs. Iron Salts on Induction of Pro-Oncogenic Amphiregulin and Pro-Inflammatory COX-2 in Human Intestinal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines

We previously showed that two iron compounds that are orally ingested by humans, namely ferric EDTA and ferric citrate, can induce an oncogenic growth factor (amphiregulin) in human intestinal epithelial adenocarcinoma cell lines. Here, we further screened these iron compounds, plus four other iron chelates and six iron salts (i.e., 12 oral iron compounds in total), for their effects on biomarkers of cancer and inflammation. Ferric pyrophosphate and ferric EDTA were the main inducers of amphiregulin and its receptor monomer, IGFr1. Moreover, at the maximum iron concentrations investigated (500 µM), the highest levels of amphiregulin were induced by the six iron chelates, while four of these also increased IGfr1. In addition, we observed that ferric pyrophosphate promoted signaling via the JAK/STAT pathway by up-regulating the cytokine receptor subunit IFN-γr1 and IL-6. For pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), ferric pyrophosphate but not ferric EDTA elevated intracellular levels. This, however, did not drive the other biomarkers based on COX-2 inhibition studies and was probably downstream of IL-6. We conclude that of all oral iron compounds, iron chelates may particularly elevate intracellular amphiregulin. Ferric pyrophosphate additionally induced COX-2, probably because of the high IL-6 induction that was observed with this compound.

New Approach Methodologies in Immunotoxicology: Challenges and Opportunities

To maintain the integrity of an organism, a well-functioning immune system is essential. Immunity is dynamic, with constant surveillance needed to determine whether to initiate an immune response or to not respond. Both inappropriate immunostimulation and decreased immune response can be harmful to the host. A reduced immune response can lead to high susceptibility to cancer or infections, whereas an increased immune response can be related to autoimmunity or hypersensitivity reactions. Animal testing has been the gold standard for hazard assessment in immunotoxicity but a lot of efforts are ongoing to develop non-animal-based test systems, and important successes have been achieved. The term "new approach methodologies" (NAMs) refer to the approaches which are not based on animal models. They are applied in hazard and risk assessment of chemicals and include approaches such as defined approaches for data interpretation and integrated approaches to testing and assessment. This review aims to summarize the available NAMs for immunotoxicity assessment, taking into consideration both inappropriate immunostimulation and immunosuppression, including implication for cancer development.

Three-Dimensional Spheroids for Cancer Research

In vitro cell culture is one of the most widely used tools used today for increasing our understanding of various things such as protein production, mechanisms of drug action, tissue engineering, and overall cellular biology. For the past decades, however, cancer researchers have relied heavily on conventional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture techniques to test a variety of aspects of cancer research ranging from the cytotoxic effects of antitumor drugs to the toxicity of diagnostic dyes and contact tracers. However, many promising cancer therapies have either weak or no efficacy in real-life conditions, therefore delaying or stopping altogether their translating to the clinic. This is, in part, due to the reductionist 2D cultures used to test these materials, which lack appropriate cell-cell contacts, have altered signaling, do not represent the natural tumor microenvironment, and have different drug responses, due to their reduced malignant phenotype when compared to real in vivo tumors. With the most recent advances, cancer research has moved into 3D biological investigation. Three-dimensional (3D) cultures of cancer cells not only recapitulate the in vivo environment better than their 2D counterparts, but they have, in recent years, emerged as a relatively low-cost and scientifically accurate methodology for studying cancer. In this chapter, we highlight the importance of 3D culture, specifically 3D spheroid culture, reviewing some key methodologies for forming 3D spheroids, discussing the experimental tools that can be used in conjunction with 3D spheroids and finally their applications in cancer research.

The Power of Gene Technologies: 1001 Ways to Create a Cell Model

Modern society faces many biomedical challenges that require urgent solutions. Two of the most important include the elucidation of mechanisms of socially significant diseases and the development of prospective drug treatments for these diseases. Experimental cell models are a convenient tool for addressing many of these problems. The power of cell models is further enhanced when combined with gene technologies, which allows the examination of even more subtle changes within the structure of the genome and permits testing of proteins in a native environment. The list and possibilities of these recently emerging technologies are truly colossal, which requires a rethink of a number of approaches for obtaining experimental cell models. In this review, we analyze the possibilities and limitations of promising gene technologies for obtaining cell models, and also give recommendations on the development and creation of relevant models. In our opinion, this review will be useful for novice cell biologists, as it provides some reference points in the rapidly growing universe of gene and cell technologies.