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Andrieu C, Hunyi Lee B, Franz A. Cell deformations generated by stochastic actomyosin waves drive in vivo random-walk swimming migration. J Cell Sci 2025; 138:jcs263787. [PMID: 40183280 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.263787] [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: 12/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2025] [Indexed: 04/05/2025] Open
Abstract
Amoeboid cell migration drives many developmental and disease-related processes, including immune responses and cancer metastasis. Swimming migration is a subtype of amoeboid migration that is observed in cells in suspension ex vivo. However, the mechanism underlying swimming migration in vivo is unknown. Using Drosophila fat body cells (FBCs) as a model, we show that FBCs actively swim to patrol the pupa by random walk. Their migration is powered through actomyosin waves that exert compressive forces as they travel to the cell rear, causing cell deformations. Unlike in other types of amoeboid migration, Rho1 (the Drosophila orthologue of RhoA), Cdc42 and Rac1 are all required for regulation of formin-driven actin polymerization during FBC migration. We find that Rho1 at the cell rear induces actomyosin contractions via Rho kinase and myosin II. We show that contractile actin waves display a stochastic behaviour, inducing either cell elongation or rounding, suggesting that non-reciprocal cell deformations drive locomotion. Importantly, our work in a physiological system reveals that stochastic actomyosin waves promote random-walk swimming migration to enable fast, long-range cell dispersal. We propose that this individualist migration behaviour collectively allows patrolling of the pupal body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Andrieu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Bren Hunyi Lee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anna Franz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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2
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Kar N, Caruso AP, Prokopiou N, Abrenica A, Logue JS. The activation of INF2 by Piezo1/Ca 2+ is required for mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition in confined environments. Curr Biol 2025; 35:1791-1804.e5. [PMID: 40120583 PMCID: PMC12014357 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.02.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 12/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
To invade tissues, cells may undergo a mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (MAT). However, the mechanisms regulating this transition are poorly defined. In melanoma cells, we demonstrate that intracellular [Ca2+] increases with the degree of confinement in a Piezo1-dependent fashion. Moreover, Piezo1/Ca2+ is found to drive amoeboid and not mesenchymal migration in confined environments. Consistent with a model in which Piezo1 senses tension at the plasma membrane, the percentage of cells using amoeboid migration is further increased in undulating microchannels. Surprisingly, amoeboid migration was not promoted by myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK), which is sensitive to intracellular [Ca2+]. Instead, we report that Piezo1/Ca2+ activates inverted formin-2 (INF2) to induce widespread actin cytoskeletal remodeling. Strikingly, the activation of INF2 promotes de-adhesion, which in turn facilitates migration across micropatterned surfaces. Thus, we reveal a novel Piezo1/Ca2+/INF2 signaling cascade that regulates MAT, enabling cancer cells to adapt their migration mode in response to varying mechanochemical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakshi Kar
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Alexa P Caruso
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Nicos Prokopiou
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Alleah Abrenica
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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3
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Chen R, Grill S, Lin B, Saiduddin M, Lehmann R. Origin and establishment of the germline in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2025; 229:iyae217. [PMID: 40180587 PMCID: PMC12005264 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2025] Open
Abstract
The continuity of a species depends on germ cells. Germ cells are different from all the other cell types of the body (somatic cells) as they are solely destined to develop into gametes (sperm or egg) to create the next generation. In this review, we will touch on 4 areas of embryonic germ cell development in Drosophila melanogaster: the assembly and function of germplasm, which houses the determinants for germ cell specification and fate and the mitochondria of the next generation; the process of pole cell formation, which will give rise to primordial germ cells (PGCs); the specification of pole cells toward the PGC fate; and finally, the migration of PGCs to the somatic gonadal precursors, where they, together with somatic gonadal precursors, form the embryonic testis and ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Chen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Studies, Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sherilyn Grill
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Benjamin Lin
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Mariyah Saiduddin
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Studies, Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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4
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Robertson TF, Schrope J, Zwick Z, Rindy J, Horn A, Hou Y, Huttenlocher A. Live imaging in zebrafish reveals tissue-specific strategies for amoeboid migration. Development 2025; 152:dev204351. [PMID: 40114648 PMCID: PMC12070063 DOI: 10.1242/dev.204351] [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: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2025] [Indexed: 03/22/2025]
Abstract
Amoeboid cells such as leukocytes can enter and migrate in diverse tissues, even though tissues vary widely in their chemical and mechanical composition. Here, we imaged motile T cells as they colonized peripheral tissues during zebrafish development to determine whether cells tailor their migration strategy to their local tissue environment. We found that T cells in most sites migrated with F-actin-rich, leading-edge pseudopods, matching how they migrate in vitro. T cells notably deviated from this strategy in the epidermis, where they instead migrated using a rearward concentration of F-actin and stable leading-edge blebs. This mode of migration occurs under planar confinement in vitro, and we found that the stratified keratinocyte layers of the epidermis also impose planar-like confinement on leukocytes in vivo. Collectively, our data indicate that immune cells adapt their migration strategy to navigate different tissue geometries in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner F. Robertson
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jon Schrope
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Zoe Zwick
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Julie Rindy
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Adam Horn
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yiran Hou
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Anna Huttenlocher
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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5
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Angeli S, Neophytou C, Kalli M, Stylianopoulos T, Mpekris F. The mechanopathology of the tumor microenvironment: detection techniques, molecular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Front Cell Dev Biol 2025; 13:1564626. [PMID: 40171226 PMCID: PMC11958720 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1564626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2025] [Accepted: 02/27/2025] [Indexed: 04/03/2025] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) undergo significant changes during tumor growth, primarily driven by alterations in extracellular (ECM) stiffness and tumor viscoelasticity. These mechanical changes not only promote tumor progression but also hinder therapeutic efficacy by impairing drug delivery and activating mechanotransduction pathways that regulate crucial cellular processes such as migration, proliferation, and resistance to therapy. In this review, we examine the mechanisms through which tumor cells sense and transmit mechanical signals to maintain homeostasis in the biomechanically altered TME. We explore current computational modelling strategies for mechanotransduction pathways, highlighting the need for developing models that incorporate additional components of the mechanosignaling machinery. Furthermore, we review available methods for measuring the mechanical properties of tumors in clinical settings and strategies aiming at restoring the TME and blocking deregulated mechanotransduction pathways. Finally, we propose that proper characterization and a deeper understanding of the mechanical landscape of the TME, both at the tissue and cellular levels, are essential for developing therapeutic strategies that account for the influence of mechanical forces on treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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6
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Kar N, Logue JS. Nucleating amoeboid cancer cell motility with Diaphanous related formins. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2025; 82:91-97. [PMID: 38761126 PMCID: PMC11570701 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The tissue invasive capacity of cancer cells is determined by their phenotypic plasticity. For instance, mesenchymal to amoeboid transition has been found to facilitate the passage of cancer cells through confined environments. This phenotypic transition is also heavily regulated by the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton, which may increase myosin contractility and the intracellular pressure that is known to drive bleb formation. In this review, we highlight several Diaphanous related formins (DRFs) that have been found to promote or suppress bleb formation in cancer cells, which is a hallmark of amoeboid migration. Based on the work discussed here, the role of the DRFs in cancer(s) is worthy of further scrutiny in animal models, as they may prove to be therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakshi Kar
- Regenerative and Cancer Cell BiologyAlbany Medical CollegeAlbanyNYUSA
| | - Jeremy S. Logue
- Regenerative and Cancer Cell BiologyAlbany Medical CollegeAlbanyNYUSA
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7
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Maiques O, Sallan MC, Laddach R, Pandya P, Varela A, Crosas-Molist E, Barcelo J, Courbot O, Liu Y, Graziani V, Arafat Y, Sewell J, Rodriguez-Hernandez I, Fanshawe B, Jung-Garcia Y, Imbert PR, Grasset EM, Albrengues J, Santacana M, Macià A, Tarragona J, Matias-Guiu X, Marti RM, Tsoka S, Gaggioli C, Orgaz JL, Fruhwirth GO, Wallberg F, Betteridge K, Reyes-Aldasoro CC, Haider S, Braun A, Karagiannis SN, Elosegui-Artola A, Sanz-Moreno V. Matrix mechano-sensing at the invasive front induces a cytoskeletal and transcriptional memory supporting metastasis. Nat Commun 2025; 16:1394. [PMID: 39952917 PMCID: PMC11829002 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56299-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2025] [Indexed: 02/17/2025] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) controls tumour dissemination. We characterise ECM organization in human and mouse tumours, identifying three regions: tumour body, proximal invasive front and distal invasive front. Invasive areas show increased matrix density, fibre thickness, length, and alignment, with unique radial fibre orientation at the distal invasive front correlating with amoeboid invasive features. Using patient samples and murine models, we find that metastases recapitulate ECM features of the primary tumour. Ex vivo culture of murine cancer cells isolated from the different tumour regions reveals a spatial cytoskeletal and transcriptional memory. Several in vitro models recapitulate the in vivo ECM organisation showing that increased matrix induces 3D confinement supporting Rho-ROCK-Myosin II activity, while radial orientation enhances directional invasion. Spatial transcriptomics identifies a mechano-inflammatory program associated with worse prognosis across multiple tumour types. These findings provide mechanistic insights into how ECM organization shapes local invasion and distant metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Maiques
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Cancer Biomarkers & Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Marta C Sallan
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Roman Laddach
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, SE1 9RT, London, UK
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - Pahini Pandya
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Adrian Varela
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Eva Crosas-Molist
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Jaume Barcelo
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Olivia Courbot
- Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Yanbo Liu
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Vittoria Graziani
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Youssef Arafat
- Department of Computer Science, City St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Joanne Sewell
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Irene Rodriguez-Hernandez
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Bruce Fanshawe
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Yaiza Jung-Garcia
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Paul Rc Imbert
- CMR Advanced Bio-imaging Facility, Centre for Microvascular Research, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Eloise M Grasset
- University Cote d'Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Jean Albrengues
- University Cote d'Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Maria Santacana
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, CIBERONC, Lleida, 25198, Spain
| | - Anna Macià
- Oncologic Pathology Group, IRBLleida, Departments of Experimental Medicine and Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lleida, Lleida, 25198, Spain
| | - Jordi Tarragona
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, CIBERONC, Lleida, 25198, Spain
| | - Xavier Matias-Guiu
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, CIBERONC, Lleida, 25198, Spain
- Oncologic Pathology Group, IRBLleida, Departments of Experimental Medicine and Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lleida, Lleida, 25198, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge University of Barcelona, IDIBELL, CIBERONC, L'Hospitalet-, Barcelona, 08907, Spain
| | - Rosa M Marti
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, CIBERONC, University of Lleida, CIBERONC, IRB Lleida, Lleida, 25198, Spain
| | - Sophia Tsoka
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - Cedric Gaggioli
- University Cote d'Azur, CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Jose L Orgaz
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale (IIBM), CSIC-UAM, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gilbert O Fruhwirth
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Fredrik Wallberg
- Quell Therapeutics, Translation & Innovation Hub, 84 Wood Ln, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Light Microscopy Facility, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Kai Betteridge
- Light Microscopy Facility, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Constantino Carlos Reyes-Aldasoro
- Department of Computer Science, City St George's, University of London, London, UK
- Integrated Pathology Unit, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Syed Haider
- Breast Cancer Research Bioinformatics Group, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Andrejs Braun
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, SE1 9RT, London, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Cytoskeleton and metastasis Team, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, SW3 6JB, UK.
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Building, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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8
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Alonso-Matilla R, Provenzano PP, Odde DJ. Physical principles and mechanisms of cell migration. NPJ BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS AND MECHANICS 2025; 2:2. [PMID: 39829952 PMCID: PMC11738987 DOI: 10.1038/s44341-024-00008-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 11/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2025]
Abstract
Cell migration is critical in processes such as developmental biology, wound healing, immune response, and cancer invasion/metastasis. Understanding its regulation is essential for developing targeted therapies in regenerative medicine, cancer treatment and immune modulation. This review examines cell migration mechanisms, highlighting fundamental physical principles, key molecular components, and cellular behaviors, identifying existing gaps in current knowledge, and suggesting potential directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Alonso-Matilla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Paolo P. Provenzano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - David J. Odde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
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9
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Jha A, Chandra A, Farahani P, Toettcher J, Haugh JM, Waterman CM. CD44 and Ezrin restrict EGF receptor mobility to generate a novel spatial arrangement of cytoskeletal signaling modules driving bleb-based migration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2025:2024.12.31.630838. [PMID: 39803565 PMCID: PMC11722407 DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.31.630838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2025]
Abstract
Cells under high confinement form highly polarized hydrostatic pressure-driven, stable leader blebs that enable efficient migration in low adhesion, environments. Here we investigated the basis of the polarized bleb morphology of metastatic melanoma cells migrating in non-adhesive confinement. Using high-resolution time-lapse imaging and specific molecular perturbations, we found that EGF signaling via PI3K stabilizes and maintains a polarized leader bleb. Protein activity biosensors revealed a unique EGFR/PI3K activity gradient decreasing from rear-to-front, promoting PIP3 and Rac1-GTP accumulation at the bleb rear, with its antagonists PIP2 and RhoA-GTP concentrated at the bleb tip, opposite to the front-to-rear organization of these signaling modules in integrin-mediated mesenchymal migration. Optogenetic experiments showed that disrupting this gradient caused bleb retraction, underscoring the role of this signaling gradient in bleb stability. Mathematical modeling and experiments identified a mechanism where, as the bleb initiates, CD44 and ERM proteins restrict EGFR mobility in a membrane-apposed cortical actin meshwork in the bleb rear, establishing a rear-to-front EGFR-PI3K-Rac activity gradient. Thus, our study reveals the biophysical and molecular underpinnings of cell polarity in bleb-based migration of metastatic cells in non-adhesive confinement, and underscores how alternative spatial arrangements of migration signaling modules can mediate different migration modes according to the local microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Jha
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Ankit Chandra
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States
| | - Payam Farahani
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Jared Toettcher
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
- Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Jason M. Haugh
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States
| | - Clare M. Waterman
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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10
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García-Arcos JM, Ziegler J, Grigolon S, Reymond L, Shajepal G, Cattin CJ, Lomakin A, Müller DJ, Ruprecht V, Wieser S, Voituriez R, Piel M. Rigidity percolation and active advection synergize in the actomyosin cortex to drive amoeboid cell motility. Dev Cell 2024; 59:2990-3007.e7. [PMID: 39047738 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.06.023] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Spontaneous locomotion is a common feature of most metazoan cells, generally attributed to the properties of actomyosin networks. This force-producing machinery has been studied down to the most minute molecular details, especially in lamellipodium-driven migration. Nevertheless, how actomyosin networks work inside contraction-driven amoeboid cells still lacks unifying principles. Here, using stable motile blebs from HeLa cells as a model amoeboid motile system, we imaged the dynamics of the actin cortex at the single filament level and revealed the co-existence of three distinct rheological phases. We introduce "advected percolation," a process where rigidity percolation and active advection synergize, spatially organizing the actin network's mechanical properties into a minimal and generic locomotion mechanism. Expanding from our observations on simplified systems, we speculate that this model could explain, down to the single actin filament level, how amoeboid cells, such as cancer or immune cells, can propel efficiently through complex 3D environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel García-Arcos
- Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Ziegler
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain
| | - Silvia Grigolon
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Loïc Reymond
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain; Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gaurav Shajepal
- Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cédric J Cattin
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexis Lomakin
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Verena Ruprecht
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefan Wieser
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain
| | - Raphael Voituriez
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire Jean Perrin (LJP), 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire de Physique Théorique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS/Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Matthieu Piel
- Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144, Paris, France.
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11
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Albaghdadi AJH, Xu W, Kan FWK. An Immune-Independent Mode of Action of Tacrolimus in Promoting Human Extravillous Trophoblast Migration Involves Intracellular Calcium Release and F-Actin Cytoskeletal Reorganization. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:12090. [PMID: 39596157 PMCID: PMC11593602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms252212090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2024] [Revised: 11/06/2024] [Accepted: 11/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that the calcineurin inhibitor macrolide immunosuppressant Tacrolimus (TAC, FK506) can promote the migration and invasion of the human-derived extravillous trophoblast cells conducive to preventing implantation failure in immune-complicated gestations manifesting recurrent implantation failure. Although the exact mode of action of TAC in promoting implantation has yet to be elucidated, the integral association of its binding protein FKBP12 with the inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R) regulated intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i channels in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that TAC can mediate its action through ER release of [Ca2+]i. Using the immortalized human-derived first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cells HTR8/SVneo, our data indicated that TAC can increase [Ca2+]I, as measured by fluorescent live-cell imaging using Fluo-4. Concomitantly, the treatment of HTR8/SVneo with TAC resulted in a major dynamic reorganization in the actin cytoskeleton, favoring a predominant distribution of cortical F-actin networks in these trophoblasts. Notably, the findings that TAC was unable to recover [Ca2+]i in the presence of the IP3R inhibitor 2-APB indicate that this receptor may play a crucial role in the mechanism of action of TAC. Taken together, our results suggest that TAC has the potential to influence trophoblast migration through downstream [Ca2+]i-mediated intracellular events and mechanisms involved in trophoblast migration, such as F-actin redistribution. Further research into the mono-therapeutic use of TAC in promoting trophoblast growth and differentiation in clinical settings of assisted reproduction is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frederick W. K. Kan
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (A.J.H.A.); (W.X.)
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12
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Huang WL, Chen SH, Wu RCY, Mai HC, Wu CH, Hsieh PF, Pang ST, Lin VCH. Knockdown of EPS8 expression attenuates the proliferation of enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:4717-4730. [PMID: 39553210 PMCID: PMC11560819 DOI: 10.62347/yqwj7498] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapies, the key treatment options for prostate cancer, have shown resistance and disease progression in many patients receiving these treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to identify new targetable pathways. Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) is one such potential target. Although this pathway is associated with the progression of various cancers, studies on the role of Eps8 in prostate cancer remain limited. This study investigated the role of Eps8 in prostate cancer. The LNCaP cell line and enzalutamide-resistant LNCaP (LNCaP Enz-R) cell lines were utilized for the investigation. Overexpression of Eps8 was observed in the LNCaP Enz-R cells. Transfecting pCMV-EPS8 also increased the levels of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell proliferation, and cell viability in both cell lines. Conversely, knockdown of Eps8 expression decreased the levels of EMT, cell proliferation, and cell viability in both cell lines. Furthermore, EPS8-induced EMT activation could be reversed by suppressing the Ras/JAK/PI3K signaling pathway. In vivo animal study also confirmed the crucial role of Eps8 expression in prostate cancer progression. Therefore, we suggest that targeting Eps8 by knocking down its expression is promising as a therapeutic approach for prostate cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lun Huang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, E-Da HospitalKaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Han Chen
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, E-Da HospitalKaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Medical College, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Richard Chen-Yu Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, E-Da HospitalKaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- Department of Information Engineering, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Cha Mai
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- Department of Urology, E-Da Cancer HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsien Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, E-Da HospitalKaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Fang Hsieh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, E-Da HospitalKaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Chung-Hua University of Medical TechnologyTainan 300, Taiwan
| | - See-Tong Pang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University 333Taiwan
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch 333Taiwan
| | - Victor Chia-Hsiang Lin
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, E-Da HospitalKaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou UniversityKaohsiung 840, Taiwan
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13
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Caruso AP, Logue JS. The biophysics of cell motility through mechanochemically challenging environments. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 90:102404. [PMID: 39053178 PMCID: PMC11392632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Challenging mechanochemical environments (i.e., with varied mechanical and adhesive properties) are now known to induce a wide range of adaptive phenomena in motile cells. For instance, confinement and low adhesion may trigger a phenotypic transition to fast amoeboid (leader bleb-based) migration. The molecular mechanisms that underly these phenomena are beginning to be understood. Due to its size, the mechanical properties of the nucleus have been shown to limit and facilitate cell migration. Additionally, the activity of various transient receptor potential (TRP) channels is now known to be integral to cell migration in response to a multitude of biophysical stimuli. How cells integrate signals from the nucleus and plasma membrane, however, is unclear. The development of therapeutics that suppress cancer or enhance immune cell migration for immuno-oncology applications, etc., will require additional work to completely understand the molecular mechanisms that enable cells to navigate mechanochemically challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa P Caruso
- Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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14
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Behrooz AB, Shojaei S. Mechanistic insights into mesenchymal-amoeboid transition as an intelligent cellular adaptation in cancer metastasis and resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167332. [PMID: 38960056 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167332] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Malignant cell plasticity is an important hallmark of tumor biology and crucial for metastasis and resistance. Cell plasticity lets cancer cells adapt to and escape the therapeutic strategies, which is the leading cause of cancer patient mortality. Epithelial cells acquire mobility via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas mesenchymal cells enhance their migratory ability and clonogenic potential by acquiring amoeboid characteristics through mesenchymal-amoeboid transition (MAT). Tumor formation, progression, and metastasis depend on the tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex ecosystem within and around a tumor. Through increased migration and metastasis of cancer cells, the TME also contributes to malignancy. This review underscores the distinction between invasion pattern morphological manifestations and the diverse structures found within the TME. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which amoeboid-associated characteristics promote resistance and metastasis and how these mechanisms may represent therapeutic opportunities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Barzegar Behrooz
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences, University of Manitoba, Max Rady College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahla Shojaei
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences, University of Manitoba, Max Rady College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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15
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García-Arcos JM, Jha A, Waterman CM, Piel M. Blebology: principles of bleb-based migration. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:838-853. [PMID: 38538441 PMCID: PMC11424778 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Bleb-based migration, a conserved cell motility mode, has a crucial role in both physiological and pathological processes. Unlike the well-elucidated mechanisms of lamellipodium-based mesenchymal migration, the dynamics of bleb-based migration remain less understood. In this review, we highlight in a systematic way the establishment of front-rear polarity, bleb formation and extension, and the distinct regimes of bleb dynamics. We emphasize new evidence proposing a regulatory role of plasma membrane-cortex interactions in blebbing behavior and discuss the generation of force and its transmission during migration. Our analysis aims to deepen the understanding of the physical and molecular mechanisms of bleb-based migration, shedding light on its implications and significance for health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ankita Jha
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Clare M Waterman
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthieu Piel
- Institut Curie, UMR144, CNRS, PSL University, Paris, France; Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, PSL University, Paris, France.
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16
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Robertson TF, Schrope J, Zwick Z, Rindy JK, Horn A, Huttenlocher A. Live imaging in zebrafish reveals tissue-specific strategies for amoeboid migration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.14.607647. [PMID: 39211200 PMCID: PMC11360923 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.14.607647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Amoeboid cells like leukocytes can enter and migrate within virtually every tissue of the body, even though tissues vary widely in their chemical and mechanical composition. Here, we imaged motile T cells as they colonized peripheral tissues during zebrafish development to ask if cells tailor their migration strategy to their local tissue environment. We found that T cells in most sites migrated with f-actin-rich leading-edge pseudopods, matching how they migrate in vitro . T cells notably deviated from this strategy in the epidermis, where they instead migrated using a rearward concentration of f-actin and stable leading-edge blebs. This mode of migration occurs under planar confinement in vitro , and we correspondingly found the stratified keratinocyte layers of the epidermis impose planar-like confinement on leukocytes in vivo . By imaging the same cell type across the body, our data collectively indicates that cells adapt their migration strategy to navigate different tissue geometries in vivo .
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17
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Alonso-Matilla R, Provenzano PP, Odde DJ. Biophysical modeling identifies an optimal hybrid amoeboid-mesenchymal phenotype for maximal T cell migration speeds. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.29.564655. [PMID: 39026744 PMCID: PMC11257493 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.29.564655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite recent experimental progress in characterizing cell migration mechanics, our understanding of the mechanisms governing rapid cell movement remains limited. To effectively limit tumor growth, antitumoral T cells need to rapidly migrate to find and kill cancer cells. To investigate the upper limits of cell speed, we developed a new hybrid stochastic-mean field model of bleb-based cell motility. We first examined the potential for adhesion-free bleb-based migration and show that cells migrate inefficiently in the absence of adhesion-based forces, i.e., cell swimming. While no cortical contractility oscillations are needed for cells to swim in viscoelastic media, high-to-low cortical contractility oscillations are necessary for cell swimming in viscous media. This involves a high cortical contractility phase with multiple bleb nucleation events, followed by an intracellular pressure buildup recovery phase at low cortical tensions, resulting in modest net cell motion. However, our model suggests that cells can employ a hybrid bleb- and adhesion-based migration mechanism for rapid cell motility and identifies conditions for optimality. The model provides a momentum-conserving mechanism underlying rapid single-cell migration and identifies factors as design criteria for engineering T cell therapies to improve movement in mechanically complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Alonso-Matilla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Paolo P. Provenzano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, USA
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, USA
| | - David J. Odde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, USA
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18
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Ullo MF, D'Amico AE, Lavenus SB, Logue JS. The amoeboid migration of monocytes in confining channels requires the local remodeling of the cortical actin cytoskeleton by cofilin-1. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10241. [PMID: 38702365 PMCID: PMC11068741 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60971-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the bloodstream, monocytes must traverse the microvasculature to prevent leukostasis, which is the entrapment of monocytes within the confines of the microvasculature. Using the model cell line, THP-1, and VCAM-1 coated channels to simulate the microvasculature surface, we demonstrate that monocytes predominantly adopt an amoeboid phenotype, which is characterized by the formation of blebs. As opposed to cortical actin flow in leader blebs, cell movement is correlated with myosin contraction at the cell rear. It was previously documented that cofilin-1 promotes cortical actin turnover at leader bleb necks in melanoma cells. In monocytes, our data suggest that cofilin-1 promotes the local upregulation of myosin contractility through actin cytoskeleton remodeling. In support of this concept, cofilin-1 is found to localize to a single cell edge. Moreover, the widespread upregulation of myosin contractility was found to inhibit migration. Thus, monocytes within the microvasculature may avoid entrapment by adopting an amoeboid mode of migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria F Ullo
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 31 Ames St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Anna E D'Amico
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Sandrine B Lavenus
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 81 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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19
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Ullo MF, D'Amico AE, Lavenus SB, Logue JS. The amoeboid migration of monocytes in confining channels requires the local remodeling of the cortical actin cytoskeleton by cofilin-1. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.11.553020. [PMID: 37609240 PMCID: PMC10441414 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.11.553020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Within the bloodstream, monocytes must traverse the microvasculature to prevent leukostasis, which is the entrapment of monocytes within the confines of the microvasculature. Using the model cell line, THP-1, and VCAM-1 coated channels to simulate the microvasculature surface, we demonstrate that monocytes predominantly adopt an amoeboid phenotype, which is characterized by the formation of blebs. As opposed to cortical actin flow in leader blebs, cell movement is correlated with myosin contraction at the cell rear. It was previously documented that cofilin-1 promotes cortical actin turnover at leader bleb necks in melanoma cells. In monocytes, our data suggest that cofilin-1 promotes the local upregulation of myosin contractility through actin cytoskeleton remodeling. In support of this concept, cofilin-1 is found to localize to a single cell edge. Moreover, the widespread upregulation of myosin contractility was found to inhibit migration. Thus, monocytes within the microvasculature may avoid entrapment by adopting an amoeboid mode of migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria F Ullo
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Anna E D'Amico
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Sandrine B Lavenus
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
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20
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Anderson SM, Kelly M, Odde DJ. Glioblastoma Cells Use an Integrin- and CD44-Mediated Motor-Clutch Mode of Migration in Brain Tissue. Cell Mol Bioeng 2024; 17:121-135. [PMID: 38737451 PMCID: PMC11082118 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-024-00799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive malignant brain tumor with 2 year survival rates of 6.7% (Stupp et al. in J Clin Oncol Off J Am Soc Clin Oncol 25:4127-4136, 2007; Mohammed et al. in Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 27:1026-1036, 2002). One key characteristic of the disease is the ability of glioblastoma cells to migrate rapidly and spread throughout healthy brain tissue (Lefranc et al. in J Clin Oncol Off J Am Soc Clin Oncol 23:2411-2422, 2005; Hoelzinger et al. in J Natl Cancer Inst 21:1583-1593, 2007). To develop treatments that effectively target cell migration, it is important to understand the fundamental mechanism driving cell migration in brain tissue. Several models of cell migration have been proposed, including the motor-clutch, bleb-based motility, and osmotic engine models. Methods Here we utilized confocal imaging to measure traction dynamics and migration speeds of glioblastoma cells in mouse organotypic brain slices to identify the mode of cell migration. Results We found that nearly all cell-vasculature interactions reflected pulling, rather than pushing, on vasculature at the cell leading edge, a finding consistent with a motor-clutch mode of migration, and inconsistent with an osmotic engine model or confined bleb-based migration. Reducing myosin motor activity, a key component in the motor-clutch model, was found to decrease migration speed at high doses for all cell types including U251 and 6 low-passage patient-derived xenograft lines (3 proneural and 3 mesenchymal subtypes). Variable responses were found at low doses, consistent with a motor-clutch mode of migration which predicts a biphasic relationship between migration speed and motor-to-clutch ratio. Targeting of molecular clutches including integrins and CD44 slowed migration of U251 cells. Conclusions Overall we find that glioblastoma cell migration is most consistent with a motor-clutch mechanism to migrate through brain tissue ex vivo, and that both integrins and CD44, as well as myosin motors, play an important role in constituting the adhesive clutch. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-024-00799-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Anderson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Marcus Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - David J. Odde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
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21
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Massey A, Stewart J, Smith C, Parvini C, McCormick M, Do K, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Mechanical properties of human tumour tissues and their implications for cancer development. NATURE REVIEWS. PHYSICS 2024; 6:269-282. [PMID: 38706694 PMCID: PMC11066734 DOI: 10.1038/s42254-024-00707-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of cells and tissues help determine their architecture, composition and function. Alterations to these properties are associated with many diseases, including cancer. Tensional, compressive, adhesive, elastic and viscous properties of individual cells and multicellular tissues are mostly regulated by reorganization of the actomyosin and microtubule cytoskeletons and extracellular glycocalyx, which in turn drive many pathophysiological processes, including cancer progression. This Review provides an in-depth collection of quantitative data on diverse mechanical properties of living human cancer cells and tissues. Additionally, the implications of mechanical property changes for cancer development are discussed. An increased knowledge of the mechanical properties of the tumour microenvironment, as collected using biomechanical approaches capable of multi-timescale and multiparametric analyses, will provide a better understanding of the complex mechanical determinants of cancer organization and progression. This information can lead to a further understanding of resistance mechanisms to chemotherapies and immunotherapies and the metastatic cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Massey
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jamie Stewart
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Jamie Stewart, Chynna Smith
| | - Chynna Smith
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Jamie Stewart, Chynna Smith
| | - Cameron Parvini
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Moira McCormick
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kun Do
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander X. Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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22
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Kar N, Caruso AP, Prokopiou N, Logue JS. The activation of INF2 by Piezo1/Ca 2+ is required for mesenchymal to amoeboid transition in confined environments. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.23.546346. [PMID: 37745412 PMCID: PMC10515767 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.23.546346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
To invade heterogenous tissues, transformed cells may undergo a mesenchymal to amoeboid transition (MAT). However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this transition are poorly defined. In invasive melanoma cells, we demonstrate that intracellular [Ca2+] increases with the degree of confinement in a Piezo1 dependent fashion. Moreover, Piezo1/Ca2+ is found to drive amoeboid and not mesenchymal migration in confined environments. Consistent with a model in which Piezo1 senses tension at the plasma membrane, the percentage of cells using amoeboid migration is further increased in undulating microchannels. Surprisingly, amoeboid migration was not promoted by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), which is sensitive to intracellular [Ca2+]. Instead, we report that Piezo1/Ca2+ activates inverted formin-2 (INF2) to induce widespread actin cytoskeletal remodeling. Strikingly, the activation of INF2 is found to promote de-adhesion, which in turn facilitates MAT. Using micropatterned surfaces, we demonstrate that cells require INF2 to effectively migrate in environments with challenging mechanochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakshi Kar
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Alexa P. Caruso
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Nicos Prokopiou
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Jeremy S. Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
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23
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Fujii Y, Ikenouchi J. Cytoplasmic zoning in membrane blebs. J Biochem 2024; 175:133-140. [PMID: 37943501 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Blebs are membrane structures formed by the detachment of the plasma membrane from the underlying actin cytoskeleton. It is now clear that a wide variety of cells, including cancer cells, actively form blebs for cell migration and cell survival. The expansion of blebs has been regarded as the passive ballooning of the plasma membrane by an abrupt increase in intracellular pressure. However, recent studies revealed the importance of 'cytoplasmic zoning', i.e. local changes in the hydrodynamic properties and the ionic and protein content of the cytoplasm. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind cytoplasmic zoning and its role in bleb expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Fujii
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Junichi Ikenouchi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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24
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Zhovmer AS, Manning A, Smith C, Nguyen A, Prince O, Sáez PJ, Ma X, Tsygankov D, Cartagena-Rivera AX, Singh NA, Singh RK, Tabdanov ED. Septins provide microenvironment sensing and cortical actomyosin partitioning in motile amoeboid T lymphocytes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi1788. [PMID: 38170778 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The all-terrain motility of lymphocytes in tissues and tissue-like gels is best described as amoeboid motility. For amoeboid motility, lymphocytes do not require specific biochemical or structural modifications to the surrounding extracellular matrix. Instead, they rely on changing shape and steric interactions with the microenvironment. However, the exact mechanism of amoeboid motility remains elusive. Here, we report that septins participate in amoeboid motility of T cells, enabling the formation of F-actin and α-actinin-rich cortical rings at the sites of cell cortex-indenting collisions with the extracellular matrix. Cortical rings compartmentalize cells into chains of spherical segments that are spatially conformed to the available lumens, forming transient "hourglass"-shaped steric locks onto the surrounding collagen fibers. The steric lock facilitates pressure-driven peristaltic propulsion of cytosolic content by individually contracting cell segments. Our results suggest that septins provide microenvironment-guided partitioning of actomyosin contractility and steric pivots required for amoeboid motility of T cells in tissue-like microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Zhovmer
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Alexis Manning
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Chynna Smith
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ashley Nguyen
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Olivia Prince
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Pablo J Sáez
- Cell Communication and Migration Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, and Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuefei Ma
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Denis Tsygankov
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Niloy A Singh
- Department of Hematology Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Erdem D Tabdanov
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey-Hummelstown, PA, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
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25
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Cho DH, Aguayo S, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Atomic force microscopy-mediated mechanobiological profiling of complex human tissues. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122389. [PMID: 37988897 PMCID: PMC10842832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue mechanobiology is an emerging field with the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between biophysical and biochemical responses affecting development, physiology, and disease. Changes in mechanical properties including stiffness and viscosity have been shown to describe how cells and tissues respond to mechanical cues and modify critical biological functions. To quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of tissues at physiologically relevant conditions, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a highly versatile biomechanical technology. In this review, we describe the fundamental principles of AFM, typical AFM modalities used for tissue mechanics, and commonly used elastic and viscoelastic contact mechanics models to characterize complex human tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the application of AFM-based mechanobiology to characterize the mechanical responses within complex human tissues to track their developmental, physiological/functional, and diseased states, including oral, hearing, and cancer-related tissues. Finally, we discuss the current outlook and challenges to further advance the field of tissue mechanobiology. Altogether, AFM-based tissue mechanobiology provides a mechanistic understanding of biological processes governing the unique functions of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Cho
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Schools of Engineering, Medicine, and Biological Sciences, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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26
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Clausen BE, Amon L, Backer RA, Berod L, Bopp T, Brand A, Burgdorf S, Chen L, Da M, Distler U, Dress RJ, Dudziak D, Dutertre CA, Eich C, Gabele A, Geiger M, Ginhoux F, Giusiano L, Godoy GJ, Hamouda AEI, Hatscher L, Heger L, Heidkamp GF, Hernandez LC, Jacobi L, Kaszubowski T, Kong WT, Lehmann CHK, López-López T, Mahnke K, Nitsche D, Renkawitz J, Reza RA, Sáez PJ, Schlautmann L, Schmitt MT, Seichter A, Sielaff M, Sparwasser T, Stoitzner P, Tchitashvili G, Tenzer S, Tochoedo NR, Vurnek D, Zink F, Hieronymus T. Guidelines for mouse and human DC functional assays. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2249925. [PMID: 36563126 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202249925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of the Dendritic Cell Guidelines article series, which provides a collection of state-of-the-art protocols for the preparation, phenotype analysis by flow cytometry, generation, fluorescence microscopy, and functional characterization of mouse and human dendritic cells (DC) from lymphoid organs and various non-lymphoid tissues. Recent studies have provided evidence for an increasing number of phenotypically distinct conventional DC (cDC) subsets that on one hand exhibit a certain functional plasticity, but on the other hand are characterized by their tissue- and context-dependent functional specialization. Here, we describe a selection of assays for the functional characterization of mouse and human cDC. The first two protocols illustrate analysis of cDC endocytosis and metabolism, followed by guidelines for transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of cDC populations. Then, a larger group of assays describes the characterization of cDC migration in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. The final guidelines measure cDC inflammasome and antigen (cross)-presentation activity. While all protocols were written by experienced scientists who routinely use them in their work, this article was also peer-reviewed by leading experts and approved by all co-authors, making it an essential resource for basic and clinical DC immunologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn E Clausen
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lukas Amon
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ronald A Backer
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Luciana Berod
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Tobias Bopp
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna Brand
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sven Burgdorf
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Luxia Chen
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Meihong Da
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Regine J Dress
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen (MICE), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Germany
| | - Charles-Antoine Dutertre
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Christina Eich
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna Gabele
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Melanie Geiger
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lucila Giusiano
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Gloria J Godoy
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Ahmed E I Hamouda
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lukas Hatscher
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Heger
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gordon F Heidkamp
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lola C Hernandez
- Cell Communication and Migration Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Jacobi
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tomasz Kaszubowski
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wan Ting Kong
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1015, Equipe Labellisée-Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - Christian H K Lehmann
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen (MICE), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Germany
| | - Tamara López-López
- Cell Communication and Migration Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Mahnke
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Nitsche
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörg Renkawitz
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Klinikum der Universität, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rifat A Reza
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Klinikum der Universität, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Pablo J Sáez
- Cell Communication and Migration Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Schlautmann
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Madeleine T Schmitt
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Klinikum der Universität, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Seichter
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Malte Sielaff
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim Sparwasser
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Patrizia Stoitzner
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology & Allergology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giorgi Tchitashvili
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Paul Klein Center for Immune Intervention, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology Mainz (HI-TRON Mainz), Mainz, Germany
| | - Nounagnon R Tochoedo
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Damir Vurnek
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Zink
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Hieronymus
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Cell and Tumor Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Germany
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27
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Anderson SM, Kelly M, Odde DJ. Glioblastoma cells use an integrin- and CD44-mediated motor-clutch mode of migration in brain tissue. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.23.563458. [PMID: 37961475 PMCID: PMC10634749 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.23.563458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive malignant brain tumor with 2-year survival rates of 6.7% [1], [2]. One key characteristic of the disease is the ability of glioblastoma cells to migrate rapidly and spread throughout healthy brain tissue[3], [4]. To develop treatments that effectively target cell migration, it is important to understand the fundamental mechanism driving cell migration in brain tissue. Here we utilized confocal imaging to measure traction dynamics and migration speeds of glioblastoma cells in mouse organotypic brain slices to identify the mode of cell migration. Through imaging cell-vasculature interactions and utilizing drugs, antibodies, and genetic modifications to target motors and clutches, we find that glioblastoma cell migration is most consistent with a motor-clutch mechanism to migrate through brain tissue ex vivo, and that both integrins and CD44, as well as myosin motors, play an important role in constituting the adhesive clutch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Anderson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marcus Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David J. Odde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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28
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Chen J, Yan D, Chen Y. Understanding the driving force for cell migration plasticity. Biophys J 2023; 122:3570-3576. [PMID: 37041746 PMCID: PMC10541478 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is a complex phenomenon. Not only do different cells migrate in different default modes, but the same cell can also change its migration mode to adapt to different terrains. This complexity has riddled cell biologists and biophysicists for decades in that, despite the development of many powerful tools over the past 30 years, how cells move is still being actively investigated. This is because we have yet to fully understand the mystery of cell migration plasticity, particularly the reciprocal relation between force generation and migration mode transition. Herein we explore the future directions, in terms of measurement platforms and imaging-based techniques, to facilitate the undertaking of elucidating the relation between force generation machinery and migration mode transition. By briefly reviewing the evolution of the platforms and techniques developed in the past, we propose the desirable features to be added to achieve high measurement accuracy and improved temporal and spatial resolution, permitting us to unveil the mystery of cell migration plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel Yan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
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29
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Ganguli S, Wyatt T, Nyga A, Lawson RH, Meyer T, Baum B, Matthews HK. Oncogenic Ras deregulates cell-substrate interactions during mitotic rounding and respreading to alter cell division orientation. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2728-2741.e3. [PMID: 37343559 PMCID: PMC7614879 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.061] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic Ras has been shown to change the way cancer cells divide by increasing the forces generated during mitotic rounding. In this way, RasV12 enables cancer cells to divide across a wider range of mechanical environments than normal cells. Here, we identify a further role for oncogenic Ras-ERK signaling in division by showing that RasV12 expression alters the shape, division orientation, and respreading dynamics of cells as they exit mitosis. Many of these effects appear to result from the impact of RasV12 signaling on actomyosin contractility, because RasV12 induces the severing of retraction fibers that normally guide spindle positioning and provide a memory of the interphase cell shape. In support of this idea, the RasV12 phenotype is reversed by inhibition of actomyosin contractility and can be mimicked by the loss of cell-substrate adhesion during mitosis. Finally, we show that RasV12 activation also perturbs division orientation in cells cultured in 2D epithelial monolayers and 3D spheroids. Thus, the induction of oncogenic Ras-ERK signaling leads to rapid changes in division orientation that, along with the effects of RasV12 on cell growth and cell-cycle progression, are likely to disrupt epithelial tissue organization and contribute to cancer dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushila Ganguli
- Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Tom Wyatt
- Laboratoirè Matiere et Systèmes Complexes, Université Paris Diderot, 10 rue Alice Domon et Léonie Duquet, Bâtiment Condorcet, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Agata Nyga
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Rachel H Lawson
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Tim Meyer
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Buzz Baum
- Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Helen K Matthews
- Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
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30
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Labuz EC, Footer MJ, Theriot JA. Confined keratocytes mimic in vivo migration and reveal volume-speed relationship. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2023; 80:34-51. [PMID: 36576104 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21741] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fish basal epidermal cells, known as keratocytes, are well-suited for cell migration studies. In vitro, isolated keratocytes adopt a stereotyped shape with a large fan-shaped lamellipodium and a nearly spherical cell body. However, in their native in vivo environment, these cells adopt a significantly different shape during their rapid migration toward wounds. Within the epidermis, keratocytes experience two-dimensional (2D) confinement between the outer epidermal cell layer and the basement membrane; these two deformable surfaces constrain keratocyte cell bodies to be flatter in vivo than in isolation. In vivo keratocytes also exhibit a relative elongation of the front-to-back axis and substantially more lamellipodial ruffling, as compared to isolated cells. We have explored the effects of 2D confinement, separated from other in vivo environmental cues, by overlaying isolated cells with an agarose hydrogel with occasional spacers, or with a ceiling made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. Under these conditions, isolated keratocytes more closely resemble the in vivo migratory shape phenotype, displaying a flatter apical-basal axis and a longer front-to-back axis than unconfined keratocytes. We propose that 2D confinement contributes to multiple dimensions of in vivo keratocyte shape determination. Further analysis demonstrates that confinement causes a synchronous 20% decrease in both cell speed and volume. Interestingly, we were able to replicate the 20% decrease in speed using a sorbitol hypertonic shock to shrink the cell volume, which did not affect other aspects of cell shape. Collectively, our results suggest that environmentally imposed changes in cell volume may influence cell migration speed, potentially by perturbing physical properties of the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Labuz
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Matthew J Footer
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Julie A Theriot
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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31
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Hohmann U, von Widdern JC, Ghadban C, Giudice MCL, Lemahieu G, Cavalcanti-Adam EA, Dehghani F, Hohmann T. Jamming Transitions in Astrocytes and Glioblastoma Are Induced by Cell Density and Tension. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010029. [PMID: 36611824 PMCID: PMC9818602 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Collective behavior of cells emerges from coordination of cell-cell-interactions and is important to wound healing, embryonic and tumor development. Depending on cell density and cell-cell interactions, a transition from a migratory, fluid-like unjammed state to a more static and solid-like jammed state or vice versa can occur. Here, we analyze collective migration dynamics of astrocytes and glioblastoma cells using live cell imaging. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy, traction force microscopy and spheroid generation assays were used to study cell adhesion, traction and mechanics. Perturbations of traction and adhesion were induced via ROCK or myosin II inhibition. Whereas astrocytes resided within a non-migratory, jammed state, glioblastoma were migratory and unjammed. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a switch from an unjammed to a jammed state was induced upon alteration of the equilibrium between cell-cell-adhesion and tension from adhesion to tension dominated, via inhibition of ROCK or myosin II. Such behavior has implications for understanding the infiltration of the brain by glioblastoma cells and may help to identify new strategies to develop anti-migratory drugs and strategies for glioblastoma-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Hohmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Julian Cardinal von Widdern
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chalid Ghadban
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maria Cristina Lo Giudice
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Grégoire Lemahieu
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Faramarz Dehghani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tim Hohmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence:
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32
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Ikenouchi J, Aoki K. A Clockwork Bleb: cytoskeleton, calcium, and cytoplasmic fluidity. FEBS J 2022; 289:7907-7917. [PMID: 34614290 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
When the plasma membrane (PM) detaches from the underlying actin cortex, the PM expands according to intracellular pressure and a spherical membrane protrusion called a bleb is formed. This bleb retracts when the actin cortex is reassembled underneath the PM. Whereas this phenomenon seems simple at first glance, there are many interesting, unresolved cell biological questions in each process. For example, what is the membrane source to enlarge the surface area of the PM during rapid bleb expansion? What signals induce actin reassembly for bleb retraction, and how is cytoplasmic fluidity regulated to allow rapid membrane deformation during bleb expansion? Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that cancer cells use blebs for invasion, but little is known about how molecules that are involved in bleb formation, expansion, and retraction are coordinated for directional amoeboid migration. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of blebs, which have been revealed by various experimental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Ikenouchi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kana Aoki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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33
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Cowan JM, Duggan JJ, Hewitt BR, Petrie RJ. Non-muscle myosin II and the plasticity of 3D cell migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1047256. [PMID: 36438570 PMCID: PMC9691290 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1047256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Confined cells migrating through 3D environments are also constrained by the laws of physics, meaning for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction for cells to achieve motion. Fascinatingly, there are several distinct molecular mechanisms that cells can use to move, and this is reflected in the diverse ways non-muscle myosin II (NMII) can generate the mechanical forces necessary to sustain 3D cell migration. This review summarizes the unique modes of 3D migration, as well as how NMII activity is regulated and localized within each of these different modes. In addition, we highlight tropomyosins and septins as two protein families that likely have more secrets to reveal about how NMII activity is governed during 3D cell migration. Together, this information suggests that investigating the mechanisms controlling NMII activity will be helpful in understanding how a single cell transitions between distinct modes of 3D migration in response to the physical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ryan J. Petrie
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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34
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Alexandrova A, Lomakina M. How does plasticity of migration help tumor cells to avoid treatment: Cytoskeletal regulators and potential markers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:962652. [PMID: 36278174 PMCID: PMC9582651 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.962652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor shrinkage as a result of antitumor therapy is not the only and sufficient indicator of treatment success. Cancer progression leads to dissemination of tumor cells and formation of metastases - secondary tumor lesions in distant organs. Metastasis is associated with acquisition of mobile phenotype by tumor cells as a result of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and further cell migration based on cytoskeleton reorganization. The main mechanisms of individual cell migration are either mesenchymal, which depends on the activity of small GTPase Rac, actin polymerization, formation of adhesions with extracellular matrix and activity of proteolytic enzymes or amoeboid, which is based on the increase in intracellular pressure caused by the enhancement of actin cortex contractility regulated by Rho-ROCK-MLCKII pathway, and does not depend on the formation of adhesive structures with the matrix, nor on the activity of proteases. The ability of tumor cells to switch from one motility mode to another depending on cell context and environmental conditions, termed migratory plasticity, contributes to the efficiency of dissemination and often allows the cells to avoid the applied treatment. The search for new therapeutic targets among cytoskeletal proteins offers an opportunity to directly influence cell migration. For successful treatment it is important to assess the likelihood of migratory plasticity in a particular tumor. Therefore, the search for specific markers that can indicate a high probability of migratory plasticity is very important.
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35
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Par3 promotes breast cancer invasion and migration through pull tension and protein nanoparticle-induced osmotic pressure. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113739. [PMID: 36179489 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113739] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell invasion and metastasis are closely related to intracellular tension. The cell-polarity protein, Par3, is a mechanical transmitter that affects cytoskeletal forces and determines breast cancer aggressiveness. Increased Par3 tension caused by aPKC inactivation is involved in filopodia and lamellipodia formation. Blocking the connection between Par3 and aPKC increases breast cancer aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, aPKC-induced Par3 cytoplasmic translocation results in JAM-A phase separation and microfilament depolymerization, which is associated with increased intracellular protein nanoparticle-induced osmotic pressure. This study demonstrated the effects of aPKC on Par3 tension and osmotic pressure in breast cancer metastasis, and introduced Par3-associated mechanical mechanisms as potential targets for breast cancer treatment.
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36
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Lin B, Luo J, Lehmann R. An AMPK phosphoregulated RhoGEF feedback loop tunes cortical flow-driven amoeboid migration in vivo. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo0323. [PMID: 36103538 PMCID: PMC9473612 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Development, morphogenesis, immune system function, and cancer metastasis rely on the ability of cells to move through diverse tissues. To dissect migratory cell behavior in vivo, we developed cell type-specific imaging and perturbation techniques for Drosophila primordial germ cells (PGCs). We find that PGCs use global, retrograde cortical actin flows for orientation and propulsion during guided developmental homing. PGCs use RhoGEF2, a RhoA-specific RGS-RhoGEF, as a dose-dependent regulator of cortical flow through a feedback loop requiring its conserved PDZ and PH domains for membrane anchoring and local RhoA activation. This feedback loop is regulated for directional migration by RhoGEF2 availability and requires AMPK rather than canonical Gα12/13 signaling. AMPK multisite phosphorylation of RhoGEF2 near a conserved EB1 microtubule-binding SxIP motif releases RhoGEF2 from microtubule-dependent inhibition. Thus, we establish the mechanism by which global cortical flow and polarized RhoA activation can be dynamically adapted during natural cell navigation in a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lin
- Skirball Institute and Department of Cell Biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jonathan Luo
- Skirball Institute and Department of Cell Biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Skirball Institute and Department of Cell Biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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37
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Vadnjal N, Nourreddine S, Lavoie G, Serres M, Roux PP, Paluch EK. Proteomic analysis of the actin cortex in interphase and mitosis. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:276117. [PMID: 35892282 PMCID: PMC9481927 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animal cell shape changes are driven by gradients in the contractile tension of the actomyosin cortex, a thin cytoskeletal network supporting the plasma membrane. Elucidating cortical tension control is thus essential for understanding cell morphogenesis. Increasing evidence shows that alongside myosin activity, actin network organisation and composition are key to cortex tension regulation. However, owing to a poor understanding of how cortex composition changes when tension changes, which cortical components are important remains unclear. In this article, we compared cortices from cells with low and high cortex tensions. We purified cortex-enriched fractions from cells in interphase and mitosis, as mitosis is characterised by high cortical tension. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 922 proteins consistently represented in both interphase and mitotic cortices. Focusing on actin-related proteins narrowed down the list to 238 candidate regulators of the mitotic cortical tension increase. Among these candidates, we found that there is a role for septins in mitotic cell rounding control. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive dataset of candidate cortex regulators, paving the way for systematic investigations of the regulation of cell surface mechanics. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Contractile tension at the actomyosin cortex is a key determinant of cell shape. Cortices from cells with high and low tension were analysed using mass spectrometry, generating a dataset of candidate cortex mechanics regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neza Vadnjal
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Sami Nourreddine
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Geneviève Lavoie
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Murielle Serres
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Philippe P Roux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Ewa K Paluch
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
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38
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Schick J, Raz E. Blebs—Formation, Regulation, Positioning, and Role in Amoeboid Cell Migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:926394. [PMID: 35912094 PMCID: PMC9337749 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.926394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of development, tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and pathological conditions such as cancer metastasis and inflammation, migrating amoeboid cells commonly form protrusions called blebs. For these spherical protrusions to inflate, the force for pushing the membrane forward depends on actomyosin contraction rather than active actin assembly. Accordingly, blebs exhibit distinct dynamics and regulation. In this review, we first examine the mechanisms that control the inflation of blebs and bias their formation in the direction of the cell’s leading edge and present current views concerning the role blebs play in promoting cell locomotion. While certain motile amoeboid cells exclusively form blebs, others form blebs as well as other protrusion types. We describe factors in the environment and cell-intrinsic activities that determine the proportion of the different forms of protrusions cells produce.
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Hohmann T, Hohmann U, Dahlmann M, Kobelt D, Stein U, Dehghani F. MACC1-Induced Collective Migration Is Promoted by Proliferation Rather Than Single Cell Biomechanics. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122857. [PMID: 35740524 PMCID: PMC9221534 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) is a marker for metastasis, tumor cell migration, and increased proliferation in colorectal cancer (CRC). Tumors with high MACC1 expression show a worse prognosis and higher invasion into neighboring structures. Yet, many facets of the pro-migratory effects are not fully understood. Atomic force microscopy and single cell live imaging were used to quantify biomechanical and migratory properties in low- and high-MACC1-expressing CRC cells. Furthermore, collective migration and expansion of small, cohesive cell colonies were analyzed using live cell imaging and particle image velocimetry. Lastly, the impact of proliferation on collective migration was determined by inhibition of proliferation using mitomycin. MACC1 did not affect elasticity, cortex tension, and single cell migration of CRC cells but promoted collective migration and colony expansion in vitro. Measurements of the local velocities in the dense cell layers revealed proliferation events as regions of high local speeds. Inhibition of proliferation via mitomycin abrogated the MACC1-associated effects on the collective migration speeds. A simple simulation revealed that the expansion of cell clusters without proliferation appeared to be determined mostly by single cell properties. MACC1 overexpression does not influence single cell biomechanics and migration but only collective migration in a proliferation-dependent manner. Thus, targeting proliferation in high-MACC1-expressing tumors may offer additional effects on cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hohmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; (T.H.); (U.H.)
| | - Urszula Hohmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; (T.H.); (U.H.)
| | - Mathias Dahlmann
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany; (M.D.); (D.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dennis Kobelt
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany; (M.D.); (D.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Stein
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany; (M.D.); (D.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (U.S.); (F.D.); Tel.: +49-9406-3432 (U.S.); +49-345-5571-944 (F.D.); Fax: +49-345-5571-700 (F.D.)
| | - Faramarz Dehghani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, D-06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; (T.H.); (U.H.)
- Correspondence: (U.S.); (F.D.); Tel.: +49-9406-3432 (U.S.); +49-345-5571-944 (F.D.); Fax: +49-345-5571-700 (F.D.)
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40
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A novel Fiji/ImageJ plugin for the rapid analysis of blebbing cells. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267740. [PMID: 35486637 PMCID: PMC9053814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
When confined, cells have recently been shown to undergo a phenotypic switch to what has been termed, fast amoeboid (leader bleb-based) migration. However, as this is a nascent area of research, few tools are available for the rapid analysis of cell behavior. Here, we demonstrate that a novel Fiji/ImageJ-based plugin, Analyze_Blebs, can be used to quickly obtain cell migration parameters and morphometrics from time lapse images. As validation, we show that Analyze_Blebs can detect significant differences in cell migration and morphometrics, such as the largest bleb size, upon introducing different live markers of F-actin, including F-tractin and LifeAct tagged with green and red fluorescent proteins. We also demonstrate, using flow cytometry, that live markers increase total levels of F-actin. Furthermore, that F-tractin increases cell stiffness, which was found to correlate with a decrease in migration, thus reaffirming the importance of cell mechanics as a determinant of Leader Bleb-Based Migration (LBBM).
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41
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Lavenus SB, Vosatka KW, Caruso AP, Ullo MF, Khan A, Logue JS. Emerin regulation of nuclear stiffness is required for fast amoeboid migration in confined environments. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:274946. [PMID: 35362531 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
When metastasizing, tumor cells must traverse environments with diverse physicochemical properties. Recently, the cell nucleus has emerged as a major regulator of the transition from mesenchymal to fast amoeboid (leader bleb-based) migration. Here, in melanoma cells, we demonstrate that increasing nuclear stiffness through elevating Lamin A, inhibits fast amoeboid migration. Importantly, nuclei may respond to force through stiffening. A key factor in this process is the inner nuclear membrane (INM) protein, emerin. Accordingly, we determined the role of emerin in regulating fast amoeboid migration. Strikingly, we found that both the up- and down-regulation of emerin results in an inhibition of fast amoeboid migration. However, when key Src phosphorylation sites were removed, up-regulation of emerin no longer inhibited fast amoeboid migration. Interestingly, in confined cells, Src activity was low, as measured by a Src biosensor. Thus, the fast amoeboid migration of melanoma cells depends on the precise calibration of emerin activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine B Lavenus
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Karl W Vosatka
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Alexa P Caruso
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Maria F Ullo
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Ayesha Khan
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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42
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O'Callaghan P, Engberg A, Eriksson O, Fatsis-Kavalopoulos N, Stelzl C, Sanchez G, Idevall-Hagren O, Kreuger J. Piezo1 activation attenuates thrombin-induced blebbing in breast cancer cells. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:274949. [PMID: 35274124 PMCID: PMC9016622 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells exploit a variety of migration modes to leave primary tumors and establish metastases, including amoeboid cell migration, which is typically reliant on bleb formation. Here we demonstrate that thrombin induces dynamic blebbing in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and confirm that protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) activation is sufficient to induce this effect. Cell confinement has been implicated as a driving force in bleb-based migration. Unexpectedly, we found that gentle contact compression, exerted using a custom built ‘cell press’ to mechanically stimulate cells, reduced thrombin-induced blebbing. Thrombin-induced blebbing was similarly attenuated using the small molecule Yoda1, an agonist of the mechanosensitive Ca2+ channel Piezo1, and this attenuation was impaired in Piezo1-depleted cells. Additionally, Piezo1 activation suppressed thrombin-induced phosphorylation of ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM) proteins, which are implicated in the blebbing process. Our results provide mechanistic insights into Piezo1 activation as a suppressor of dynamic blebbing, specifically that which is induced by thrombin. Summary: Thrombin and protease-activated receptor agonists induce dynamic blebbing in breast cancer cells, which can be attenuated by contact-mediated compression, and activation of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul O'Callaghan
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam Engberg
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olle Eriksson
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Christina Stelzl
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gonzalo Sanchez
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Kreuger
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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43
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Viscoelastic parameterization of human skin cells characterize material behavior at multiple timescales. Commun Biol 2022; 5:17. [PMID: 35017622 PMCID: PMC8752830 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02959-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Countless biophysical studies have sought distinct markers in the cellular mechanical response that could be linked to morphogenesis, homeostasis, and disease. Here, an iterative-fitting methodology visualizes the time-dependent viscoelastic behavior of human skin cells under physiologically relevant conditions. Past investigations often involved parameterizing elastic relationships and assuming purely Hertzian contact mechanics, which fails to properly account for the rich temporal information available. We demonstrate the performance superiority of the proposed iterative viscoelastic characterization method over standard open-search approaches. Our viscoelastic measurements revealed that 2D adherent metastatic melanoma cells exhibit reduced elasticity compared to their normal counterparts—melanocytes and fibroblasts, and are significantly less viscous than fibroblasts over timescales spanning three orders of magnitude. The measured loss angle indicates clear differential viscoelastic responses across multiple timescales between the measured cells. This method provides insight into the complex viscoelastic behavior of metastatic melanoma cells relevant to better understanding cancer metastasis and aggression. Parvini, Cartagena and Solares introduce an iterative viscoelastic approach based on the generalized Maxwell and Kelvin-Voigt models. The results showed that metastatic melanoma cells had lower elasticity than normal fibroblasts and melanoma cells were less viscous than the fibroblasts over a large frequency range, enhancing the understanding of cellular responses at different frequencies.
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44
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Gabbireddy SR, Vosatka KW, Chung AJ, Logue JS. Melanoma cells adopt features of both mesenchymal and amoeboid migration within confining channels. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17804. [PMID: 34493759 PMCID: PMC8423822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97348-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
For metastasis to occur, cancer cells must traverse a range of tissue environments. In part, this is accomplished by cells adjusting their migration mode to one that is best suited to the environment. Melanoma cells have been shown to be particularly plastic, frequently using both mesenchymal and amoeboid (bleb-based) modes of migration. It has been demonstrated that 2D confinement will promote the transition from mesenchymal to bleb-based migration. However, if melanoma cells similarly transition to bleb-based migration in response to 3D confinement, such as within narrow channels, is unknown. Here, using micro-fabricated channels, we demonstrate that metastatic, A375-M2, melanoma cells adopt features of both mesenchymal and bleb-based migration. In narrow (8 µm; height and width) channels coated with fibronectin, ~ 50% of melanoma cells were found to use either mesenchymal or bleb-based migration modes. In contrast, the inhibition of Src family kinases or coating channels with BSA, completely eliminated any features of mesenchymal migration. Detailed comparisons of migration parameters revealed that blebbing cells, particularly in the absence of adhesions, were faster than mesenchymal cells. In contrast to what has been previously shown under conditions of 2D confinement, pharmacologically inhibiting Arp2/3 promoted a fast filopodial-based mode of migration. Accordingly, we report that melanoma cells adopt a unique range of phenotypes under conditions of 3D confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sairisheel R Gabbireddy
- Undergraduate Research Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th St, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Karl W Vosatka
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Aram J Chung
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, 02841, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, 02841, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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45
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Adams G, López MP, Cartagena-Rivera AX, Waterman CM. Survey of cancer cell anatomy in nonadhesive confinement reveals a role for filamin-A and fascin-1 in leader bleb-based migration. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:1772-1791. [PMID: 34260278 PMCID: PMC8684732 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-04-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells migrating in confined microenvironments exhibit plasticity of migration modes. Confinement of contractile cells in a nonadhesive environment drives “leader bleb–based migration” (LBBM), morphologically characterized by a long bleb that points in the direction of movement separated from a cell body by a contractile neck. Although cells undergoing LBBM have been visualized within tumors, the organization of organelles and actin regulatory proteins mediating LBBM is unknown. We analyzed the localization of fluorescent organelle-specific markers and actin-associated proteins in human melanoma and osteosarcoma cells undergoing LBBM. We found that organelles from the endolysosomal, secretory, and metabolic systems as well as the vimentin and microtubule cytoskeletons localized primarily in the cell body, with some endoplasmic reticulum, microtubules, and mitochondria extending into the leader bleb. Overexpression of fluorescently tagged actin regulatory proteins showed that actin assembly factors localized toward the leader bleb tip, contractility regulators and cross-linkers in the cell body cortex and neck, and cross-linkers additionally throughout the leader bleb. Quantitative analysis showed that excess filamin-A and fascin-1 increased migration speed and persistence, while their depletion by small interfering RNA indicates a requirement in promoting cortical tension and pressure to drive LBBM. This indicates a critical role of specific actin crosslinkers in LBBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Adams
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and
| | | | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Clare M Waterman
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and
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Castillo-Badillo JA, Gautam N. An optogenetic model reveals cell shape regulation through FAK and fascin. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:269115. [PMID: 34114634 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell shape regulation is important, but the mechanisms that govern shape are not fully understood, in part due to limited experimental models in which cell shape changes and underlying molecular processes can be rapidly and non-invasively monitored in real time. Here, we used an optogenetic tool to activate RhoA in the middle of mononucleated macrophages to induce contraction, resulting in a side with the nucleus that retained its shape and a non-nucleated side that was unable to maintain its shape and collapsed. In cells overexpressing focal adhesion kinase (FAK; also known as PTK2), the non-nucleated side exhibited a wide flat morphology and was similar in adhesion area to the nucleated side. In cells overexpressing fascin, an actin-bundling protein, the non-nucleated side assumed a spherical shape and was similar in height to the nucleated side. This effect of fascin was also observed in fibroblasts even without inducing furrow formation. Based on these results, we conclude that FAK and fascin work together to maintain cell shape by regulating adhesion area and height, respectively, in different cell types. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean A Castillo-Badillo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - N Gautam
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Ullo MF, Logue JS. ADF and cofilin-1 collaborate to promote cortical actin flow and the leader bleb-based migration of confined cells. eLife 2021; 10:67856. [PMID: 34169836 PMCID: PMC8253594 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells have been shown to undergo fast amoeboid (leader bleb-based) migration, requiring a single large bleb for migration. In leader blebs, is a rapid flow of cortical actin that drives the cell forward. Using RNAi, we find that co-depleting cofilin-1 and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) led to a large increase in cortical actin, suggesting that both proteins regulate cortical actin. Furthermore, severing factors can promote contractility through the regulation of actin architecture. However, RNAi of cofilin-1 but not ADF led to a significant decrease in cell stiffness. We found cofilin-1 to be enriched at leader bleb necks, whereas RNAi of cofilin-1 and ADF reduced bleb sizes and the frequency of motile cells. Strikingly, cells without cofilin-1 and ADF had blebs with abnormally long necks. Many of these blebs failed to retract and displayed slow actin turnover. Collectively, our data identifies cofilin-1 and ADF as actin remodeling factors required for fast amoeboid migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria F Ullo
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, United States
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, United States
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48
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Zhang L, Zhao X, Wang W. Disruption of anchoring junctions in the testes of experimental varicocele rats. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:887. [PMID: 34194565 PMCID: PMC8237278 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Varicocele is a common disease of the male reproductive system and is the main cause of male infertility; however, the pathological mechanisms of varicocele remain unclear. The anchoring junctions (AJs) in the testies are located between Sertoli cells, or between Sertoli cells and germ cells. Intact and functional AJs are crucial for spermatogenesis. In the present study, the histomorphology, ultrastructure of AJ, cell cycle, expression of AJ structural proteins, and the level of AJ-associated signaling molecules were investigated in the left testes of experimental varicocele rats at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. The results revealed that varicocele induced the loss of premature germ cells from the seminiferous epithelium. Furthermore, the results of the present study also revealed damage to the AJ ultrastructure, disorientation of the spermatid head, deregulation of the cell cycle, downregulation of AJ structural proteins, enhanced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at Tyr397 and its downstream adapter Src at Tyr416, and activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1) signaling pathway. Thus, the present study demonstrated that varicocele disrupted the structure and function of AJs in the left testes of rats, and that enhancement of FAK phosphorylation may contribute to AJ damage by activating ERK1 signaling, disrupting actin-based filament networks, and altering the balance of the apical ectoplasmic specialization-blood testis barrier functional axis. These findings provide important insights into the pathological mechanisms through which varicocele contributes to male infertility and could help to identify new therapeutic targets for varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Clinical Applied Anatomy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Clinical Applied Anatomy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Clinical Applied Anatomy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
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Contractility, focal adhesion orientation, and stress fiber orientation drive cancer cell polarity and migration along wavy ECM substrates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021135118. [PMID: 34031242 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021135118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Contact guidance is a powerful topographical cue that induces persistent directional cell migration. Healthy tissue stroma is characterized by a meshwork of wavy extracellular matrix (ECM) fiber bundles, whereas metastasis-prone stroma exhibit less wavy, more linear fibers. The latter topography correlates with poor prognosis, whereas more wavy bundles correlate with benign tumors. We designed nanotopographic ECM-coated substrates that mimic collagen fibril waveforms seen in tumors and healthy tissues to determine how these nanotopographies may regulate cancer cell polarization and migration machineries. Cell polarization and directional migration were inhibited by fibril-like wave substrates above a threshold amplitude. Although polarity signals and actin nucleation factors were required for polarization and migration on low-amplitude wave substrates, they did not localize to cell leading edges. Instead, these factors localized to wave peaks, creating multiple "cryptic leading edges" within cells. On high-amplitude wave substrates, retrograde flow from large cryptic leading edges depolarized stress fibers and focal adhesions and inhibited cell migration. On low-amplitude wave substrates, actomyosin contractility overrode the small cryptic leading edges and drove stress fiber and focal adhesion orientation along the wave axis to mediate directional migration. Cancer cells of different intrinsic contractility depolarized at different wave amplitudes, and cell polarization response to wavy substrates could be tuned by manipulating contractility. We propose that ECM fibril waveforms with sufficiently high amplitude around tumors may serve as "cell polarization barriers," decreasing directional migration of tumor cells, which could be overcome by up-regulation of tumor cell contractility.
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Engineering T cells to enhance 3D migration through structurally and mechanically complex tumor microenvironments. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2815. [PMID: 33990566 PMCID: PMC8121808 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining the principles of T cell migration in structurally and mechanically complex tumor microenvironments is critical to understanding escape from antitumor immunity and optimizing T cell-related therapeutic strategies. Here, we engineered nanotextured elastic platforms to study and enhance T cell migration through complex microenvironments and define how the balance between contractility localization-dependent T cell phenotypes influences migration in response to tumor-mimetic structural and mechanical cues. Using these platforms, we characterize a mechanical optimum for migration that can be perturbed by manipulating an axis between microtubule stability and force generation. In 3D environments and live tumors, we demonstrate that microtubule instability, leading to increased Rho pathway-dependent cortical contractility, promotes migration whereas clinically used microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapies profoundly decrease effective migration. We show that rational manipulation of the microtubule-contractility axis, either pharmacologically or through genome engineering, results in engineered T cells that more effectively move through and interrogate 3D matrix and tumor volumes. Thus, engineering cells to better navigate through 3D microenvironments could be part of an effective strategy to enhance efficacy of immune therapeutics. The mechanics of the migration of T cells into tumours is an important aspect of tumour immunity. Here the authors engineer complex 3D environments to explore functions of microtubules and cell contractility as strategies to enhance T cell migration in tumour microenvironments.
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