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Prelog T, Bucek S, Brozic A, Peterlin J, Kavcic M, Omerzel M, Markelc B, Jesenko T, Prevodnik VK. The influence of cytotoxic drugs on the immunophenotype of blast cells in paediatric B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Radiol Oncol 2024; 58:133-144. [PMID: 38378030 PMCID: PMC10878768 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2024-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flow cytometry plays is important in the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and when antigen-specific immunotherapy is indicated. We have investigated the effects of prednisolone, vincristine, daunorubicin, asparaginase and methotrexate on the antigen expression on blast cells that could influence the planning of antigen-specific therapy as well as risk-based treatment assignment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients aged ≤ 17 years with de novo B-cell ALL (B-ALL) were enrolled in the study. Blast cells were isolated and exposed in vitro to 5 individual cytotoxic drugs in logarithmically increasing concentrations. Then, the expression of CD10, CD19, CD20, CD27, CD34, CD45, CD58, CD66c and CD137 antigens was determined by quantitative flow cytometry. RESULTS Cytotoxic drugs caused dose-dependent or dose-independent modulation of antigen expression. Daunorubicin caused a dose-dependent down-modulation of CD10, CD19, CD34, CD45 and CD58 and an up-modulation of CD137. Vincristine caused a dose-dependent down-modulation of CD19 and CD58 and an up-modulation of CD45. Daunorubicin also caused dose-independent down-modulation of CD27 and prednisolone down-modulation of CD10, CD19, CD27, CD34 and CD58. Down-modulation of CD20 was detected only in relation to the specific dose of daunorubicin. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study have shown that cytotoxic drugs can alter the expression of antigens that are important for immunotherapy. Importantly, daunorubicin, prednisolone and vincristine caused down-modulation of CD19 and CD58, suggesting that these drugs are better avoided during bridging therapy prior to bispecific antibodies or CAR-T cell therapy. In addition, immunophenotypic changes on blast cells induced by different drugs could also influence risk-based treatment assignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaz Prelog
- Department of Haemato-Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Bucek
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Brozic
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jakob Peterlin
- Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Kavcic
- Department of Haemato-Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Masa Omerzel
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Veronika Kloboves Prevodnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
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Lisec B, Bozic T, Santek I, Markelc B, Vrecl M, Frangez R, Cemazar M. Characterization of two distinct immortalized endothelial cell lines, EA.hy926 and HMEC-1, for in vitro studies: exploring the impact of calcium electroporation, Ca 2+ signaling and transcriptomic profiles. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:118. [PMID: 38347539 PMCID: PMC10863159 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01503-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis after calcium electroporation (CaEP) in tumors has been shown to elicit an enhanced antitumor effect with varying impacts on healthy tissue, such as endothelium. Therefore, our study aimed to determine differences in Ca2+ kinetics and gene expression involved in the regulation of Ca2+ signaling and homeostasis, as well as effects of CaEP on cytoskeleton and adherens junctions of the established endothelial cell lines EA.hy926 and HMEC-1. METHODS CaEP was performed on EA.hy926 and HMEC-1 cells with increasing Ca2+ concentrations. Viability after CaEP was assessed using Presto Blue, while the effect on cytoskeleton and adherens junctions was evaluated via immunofluorescence staining (F-actin, α-tubulin, VE-cadherin). Differences in intracellular Ca2+ regulation ([Ca2+]i) were determined with spectrofluorometric measurements using Fura-2-AM, exposing cells to DPBS, ionomycin, thapsigargin, ATP, bradykinin, angiotensin II, acetylcholine, LaCl3, and GdCl3. Molecular distinctions were identified by analyzing differentially expressed genes and pathways related to the cytoskeleton and Ca2+ signaling through RNA sequencing. RESULTS EA.hy926 cells, at increasing Ca2+ concentrations, displayed higher CaEP susceptibility and lower survival than HMEC-1. Immunofluorescence confirmed CaEP-induced, time- and Ca2+-dependent morphological changes in EA.hy926's actin filaments, microtubules, and cell-cell junctions. Spectrofluorometric Ca2+ kinetics showed higher amplitudes in Ca2+ responses in EA.hy926 exposed to buffer, G protein coupled receptor agonists, bradykinin, and angiotensin II compared to HMEC-1. HMEC-1 exhibited significantly higher [Ca2+]i changes after ionomycin exposure, while responses to thapsigargin, ATP, and acetylcholine were similar in both cell lines. ATP without extracellular Ca2+ ions induced a significantly higher [Ca2+]i rise in EA.hy926, suggesting purinergic ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptor activation. RNA-sequencing analysis showed significant differences in cytoskeleton- and Ca2+-related gene expression, highlighting upregulation of ORAI2, TRPC1, TRPM2, CNGA3, TRPM6, and downregulation of TRPV4 and TRPC4 in EA.hy926 versus HMEC-1. Moreover, KEGG analysis showed upregulated Ca2+ import and downregulated export genes in EA.hy926. CONCLUSIONS Our finding show that significant differences in CaEP response and [Ca2+]i regulation exist between EA.hy926 and HMEC-1, which may be attributed to distinct transcriptomic profiles. EA.hy926, compared to HMEC-1, displayed higher susceptibility and sensitivity to [Ca2+]i changes, which may be linked to overexpression of Ca2+-related genes and an inability to mitigate changes in [Ca2+]i. The study offers a bioinformatic basis for selecting EC models based on research objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Lisec
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Bozic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iva Santek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milka Vrecl
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Frangez
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310, Izola, Slovenia.
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Köry J, Narain V, Stolz BJ, Kaeppler J, Markelc B, Muschel RJ, Maini PK, Pitt-Francis JM, Byrne HM. Enhanced perfusion following exposure to radiotherapy: A theoretical investigation. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011252. [PMID: 38363799 PMCID: PMC10903964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumour angiogenesis leads to the formation of blood vessels that are structurally and spatially heterogeneous. Poor blood perfusion, in conjunction with increased hypoxia and oxygen heterogeneity, impairs a tumour's response to radiotherapy. The optimal strategy for enhancing tumour perfusion remains unclear, preventing its regular deployment in combination therapies. In this work, we first identify vascular architectural features that correlate with enhanced perfusion following radiotherapy, using in vivo imaging data from vascular tumours. Then, we present a novel computational model to determine the relationship between these architectural features and blood perfusion in silico. If perfusion is defined to be the proportion of vessels that support blood flow, we find that vascular networks with small mean diameters and large numbers of angiogenic sprouts show the largest increases in perfusion post-irradiation for both biological and synthetic tumours. We also identify cases where perfusion increases due to the pruning of hypoperfused vessels, rather than blood being rerouted. These results indicate the importance of considering network composition when determining the optimal irradiation strategy. In the future, we aim to use our findings to identify tumours that are good candidates for perfusion enhancement and to improve the efficacy of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Köry
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vedang Narain
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bernadette J. Stolz
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Laboratory for Topology and Neuroscience, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip K. Maini
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe M. Pitt-Francis
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M. Byrne
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Modic Z, Markelc B, Jesenko T. Partial-Volume Irradiation of Murine Tumors. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2773:97-104. [PMID: 38236540 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3714-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a widely used approach for cancer treatment. However, delivering a single high dose of radiation to bulky tumors can be challenging due to the toxicities induced in the surrounding healthy tissue. To overcome this issue, a nonuniform high dose can be delivered using partial-volume tumor irradiation or spatially fractionated radiotherapy (SFRT). Moreover, SFRT has the potential to induce a stronger antitumor immune response compared to traditional radiotherapy due to the preservation of immune cells in the unirradiated tumor regions. There are several SFRT approaches, including GRID therapy, three-dimensional GRID therapy (LATTICE), microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for PArtial Tumor irradiation targeting exclusively the HYpoxic segment (SBRT-PATHY). The following protocol describes partial-volume tumor irradiation, a technique that enables dose delivery to only a part of the tumor in mice using an X-ray generator and collimators of different dimensions that limit the size of the irradiation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziva Modic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Bozic T, Markelc B. Imaging of Extravasation of Splenocytes in the Dorsal Skinfold Window Chamber. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2773:137-155. [PMID: 38236543 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3714-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Infiltration of immune cells into the tumor is one of the major drivers of antitumor immune response, which can direct the outcome of anticancer therapies. In mice, implantation of dorsal skinfold window chamber (DSWC) combined with intravital confocal fluorescence microscopy allows real-time observation of splenocyte extravasation and infiltration into tumors. Here, we describe a detailed procedure of the DSWC implantation, splenocyte isolation and fluorescent labeling, intravenous injection of labeled splenocytes, and imaging of splenocyte extravasation into tumors using confocal fluorescence microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Bozic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Kamensek U, Cemazar M, Kranjc Brezar S, Jesenko T, Kos S, Znidar K, Markelc B, Modic Z, Komel T, Gorse T, Rebersek E, Jakopic H, Sersa G. What We Learned about the Feasibility of Gene Electrotransfer for Vaccination on a Model of COVID-19 Vaccine. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1981. [PMID: 37514166 PMCID: PMC10385748 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccination is one of the emerging approaches for a wide range of applications, including prophylactic vaccination against infectious diseases and therapeutic vaccination against cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of our previously optimized protocols for gene electrotransfer (GET)-mediated delivery of plasmid DNA into skin and muscle tissues on a model of COVID-19 vaccine. Plasmids encoding the SARS-CoV-2 proteins spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) were used as the antigen source, and a plasmid encoding interleukin 12 (IL-12) was used as an adjuvant. Vaccination was performed in the skin or muscle tissue of C57BL/6J mice on days 0 and 14 (boost). Two weeks after the boost, blood, spleen, and transfected tissues were collected to determine the expression of S, N, IL-12, serum interferon-γ, the induction of antigen-specific IgG antibodies, and cytotoxic T-cells. In accordance with prior in vitro experiments that indicated problems with proper expression of the S protein, vaccination with S did not induce S-specific antibodies, whereas significant induction of N-specific antibodies was detected after vaccination with N. Intramuscular vaccination outperformed skin vaccination and resulted in significant induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Moreover, both boost and adjuvant were found to be redundant for the induction of an immune response. Overall, the study confirmed the feasibility of the GET for DNA vaccination and provided valuable insights into this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urska Kamensek
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | | | - Tanja Jesenko
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Spela Kos
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Znidar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ziva Modic
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tilen Komel
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Gorse
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Rebersek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Jakopic
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Kranjc Brezar S, Medved A, Matkovic U, Sersa G, Markelc B, Bozic T, Jurdana M, Cemazar M. Effect of electrochemotherapy on myogenesis of mouse C2C12 cells in vitro. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 153:108487. [PMID: 37354641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a local ablative therapy for the treatment of different skin and subcutaneous tumors and certain tumors in internal organs. Skeletal muscle represents a major tumor- surrounding tissue, exposed to side effects of ECT. At the cellular level, side-effects of ECT on skeletal muscle and underlying mechanisms have not been examined yet. Thus, we aimed to determine the effect of ECT in the mouse muscle cell line C2C12 during in vitro myogenesis. We evaluated the electroporation efficiency and viability of C2C12 myotubes at increasing voltages (200-1300 V/cm) using propidium iodide (PI). Permeabilization of PI into the cells was voltage-dependent accounting up to 97 % efficiency at the highest voltage. High cell viability and myotube integrity were maintained until 4 days after electroporation. ECT with the cytostatic drugs bleomycin and cisplatin decreased the viability of C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes in a dose-dependent manner. However, myoblasts were more sensitive to ECT than myotubes. Increased secretion of IL-6, observed 3 days after ECT, confirming its effects on early myogenesis. Only minor effects of ECT were observed in treated myotubes. These results contribute to the safety profile of ECT in tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Kranjc Brezar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajda Medved
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urska Matkovic
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Bozic
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mihaela Jurdana
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, Izola, Slovenia.
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Modic Z, Cemazar M, Markelc B, Cör A, Sersa G, Kranjc Brezar S, Jesenko T. HPV-positive murine oral squamous cell carcinoma: development and characterization of a new mouse tumor model for immunological studies. J Transl Med 2023; 21:376. [PMID: 37296466 PMCID: PMC10257320 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04221-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains is one of the risk factors for the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Some patients with HPV-positive OSCC have a better prognosis and respond better to various treatment modalities, including radiotherapy or immunotherapy. However, since HPV can only infect human cells, there are only a few immunocompetent mouse models available that enable immunological studies. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop a transplantable immunocompetent mouse model of HPV-positive OSCC and characterize it in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Two monoclonal HPV-positive OSCC mouse cell lines were established by inducing the expression of HPV-16 oncogenes E6 and E7 in the MOC1 OSCC cell line using retroviral transduction. After confirming stable expression of HPV-16 E6 and E7 with quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining, the cell lines were further characterized in vitro using proliferation assay, wound healing assay, clonogenic assay and RNA sequencing. In addition, tumor models were characterized in vivo in C57Bl/6NCrl mice in terms of their histological properties, tumor growth kinetics, and radiosensitivity. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining of blood vessels, hypoxic areas, proliferating cells and immune cells was performed to characterize the tumor microenvironment of all three tumor models. RESULTS Characterization of the resulting MOC1-HPV cell lines and tumor models confirmed stable expression of HPV-16 oncogenes and differences in cell morphology, in vitro migration capacity, and tumor microenvironment characteristics. Although the cell lines did not differ in their intrinsic radiosensitivity, one of the HPV-positive tumor models, MOC1-HPV K1, showed a significantly longer growth delay after irradiation with a single dose of 15 Gy compared to parental MOC1 tumors. Consistent with this, MOC1-HPV K1 tumors had a lower percentage of hypoxic tumor area and a higher percentage of proliferating cells. Characteristics of the newly developed HPV-positive OSCC tumor models correlate with the transcriptomic profile of MOC1-HPV cell lines. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we developed and characterized a novel immunocompetent mouse model of HPV-positive OSCC that exhibits increased radiosensitivity and enables studies of immune-based treatment approaches in HPV-positive OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziva Modic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Cör
- Department of Research, Valdoltra Orthopedic Hospital, Jadranska cesta 31, Ankaran, Slovenia
- Faculty of Education, University of Primorska, Cankarjeva pot 5, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc Brezar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Lisec B, Markelc B, Ursic Valentinuzzi K, Sersa G, Cemazar M. The effectiveness of calcium electroporation combined with gene electrotransfer of a plasmid encoding IL-12 is tumor type-dependent. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1189960. [PMID: 37304301 PMCID: PMC10247961 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1189960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In calcium electroporation (CaEP), electroporation enables the cellular uptake of supraphysiological concentrations of Ca2+, causing the induction of cell death. The effectiveness of CaEP has already been evaluated in clinical trials; however, confirmatory preclinical studies are still needed to further elucidate its effectiveness and underlying mechanisms. Here, we tested and compared its efficiency on two different tumor models to electrochemotherapy (ECT) and in combination with gene electrotransfer (GET) of a plasmid encoding interleukin-12 (IL-12). We hypothesized that IL-12 potentiates the antitumor effect of local ablative therapies as CaEP and ECT. Methods The effect of CaEP was tested in vitro as well as in vivo in murine melanoma B16-F10 and murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 in comparison to ECT with bleomycin. Specifically, the treatment efficacy of CaEP with increasing calcium concentrations alone or in combination with IL-12 GET in different treatment protocols was investigated. We closely examined the tumor microenvironment by immunofluorescence staining of immune cells, as well as blood vessels and proliferating cells. Results In vitro, CaEP and ECT with bleomycin reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. We observed no differences in sensitivity between the two cell lines. A dose-dependent response was also observed in vivo; however, the efficacy was better in 4T1 tumors than in B16-F10 tumors. In 4T1 tumors, CaEP with 250 mM Ca resulted in more than 30 days of growth delay, which was comparable to ECT with bleomycin. In contrast, adjuvant peritumoral application of IL-12 GET after CaEP prolonged the survival of B16-F10, but not 4T1-bearing mice. Moreover, CaEP with peritumoral IL-12 GET modified tumor immune cell populations and tumor vasculature. Conclusions Mice bearing 4T1 tumors responded better to CaEP in vivo than mice bearing B16-F10 tumors, even though a similar response was observed in vitro. Namely, one of the most important factors might be involvement of the immune system. This was confirmed by the combination of CaEP or ECT with IL-12 GET, which further enhanced antitumor effectiveness. However, the potentiation of CaEP effectiveness was also highly dependent on tumor type; it was more pronounced in poorly immunogenic B16-F10 tumors compared to moderately immunogenic 4T1 tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Lisec
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Ursic Valentinuzzi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
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10
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Kesar U, Markelc B, Jesenko T, Ursic Valentinuzzi K, Cemazar M, Strojan P, Sersa G. Effects of Electrochemotherapy on Immunologically Important Modifications in Tumor Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050925. [PMID: 37243029 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a clinically acknowledged method that combines the use of anticancer drugs and electrical pulses. Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin (BLM) can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in certain settings. However, whether this is ubiquitous over different cancer types and for other clinically relevant chemotherapeutics used with electrochemotherapy is unknown. Here, we evaluated in vitro in the B16-F10, 4T1 and CT26 murine tumor cell lines, the electrochemotherapy triggered changes in the ICD-associated damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs): Calreticulin (CRT), ATP, High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), and four immunologically important cellular markers: MHCI, MHC II, PD-L1 and CD40. The changes in these markers were investigated in time up to 48 h after ECT. We showed that electrochemotherapy with all three tested chemotherapeutics induced ICD-associated DAMPs, but the induced DAMP signature was cell line and chemotherapeutic concentration specific. Similarly, electrochemotherapy with CDDP, OXA or BLM modified the expression of MHC I, MHC II, PD-L1 and CD40. The potential of electrochemotherapy to change their expression was also cell line and chemotherapeutic concentration specific. Our results thus put the electrochemotherapy with clinically relevant chemotherapeutics CDDP, OXA and BLM on the map of ICD inducing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursa Kesar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Ursic Valentinuzzi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - Primoz Strojan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Tomanic T, Rogelj L, Stergar J, Markelc B, Bozic T, Brezar SK, Sersa G, Milanic M. Estimating quantitative physiological and morphological tissue parameters of murine tumor models using hyperspectral imaging and optical profilometry. J Biophotonics 2023; 16:e202200181. [PMID: 36054067 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202200181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding tumors and their microenvironment are essential for successful and accurate disease diagnosis. Tissue physiology and morphology are altered in tumors compared to healthy tissues, and there is a need to monitor tumors and their surrounding tissues, including blood vessels, non-invasively. This preliminary study utilizes a multimodal optical imaging system combining hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and three-dimensional (3D) optical profilometry (OP) to capture hyperspectral images and surface shapes of subcutaneously grown murine tumor models. Hyperspectral images are corrected with 3D OP data and analyzed using the inverse-adding doubling (IAD) method to extract tissue properties such as melanin volume fraction and oxygenation. Blood vessels are segmented using the B-COSFIRE algorithm from oxygenation maps. From 3D OP data, tumor volumes are calculated and compared to manual measurements using a vernier caliper. Results show that tumors can be distinguished from healthy tissue based on most extracted tissue parameters ( p < 0.05 ). Furthermore, blood oxygenation is 50% higher within the blood vessels than in the surrounding tissue, and tumor volumes calculated using 3D OP agree within 26% with manual measurements using a vernier caliper. Results suggest that combining HSI and OP could provide relevant quantitative information about tumors and improve the disease diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadej Tomanic
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Luka Rogelj
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jost Stergar
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Bozic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc Brezar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matija Milanic
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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12
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Kaeppler JR, Chen J, Buono M, Vermeer J, Kannan P, Cheng W, Voukantsis D, Thompson JM, Hill MA, Allen D, Gomes A, Kersemans V, Kinchesh P, Smart S, Buffa F, Nerlov C, Muschel RJ, Markelc B. Endothelial cell death after ionizing radiation does not impair vascular structure in mouse tumor models. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e53221. [PMID: 35848459 PMCID: PMC9442312 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of radiation therapy on tumor vasculature has long been a subject of debate. Increased oxygenation and perfusion have been documented during radiation therapy. Conversely, apoptosis of endothelial cells in irradiated tumors has been proposed as a major contributor to tumor control. To examine these contradictions, we use multiphoton microscopy in two murine tumor models: MC38, a highly vascularized, and B16F10, a moderately vascularized model, grown in transgenic mice with tdTomato-labeled endothelium before and after a single (15 Gy) or fractionated (5 × 3 Gy) dose of radiation. Unexpectedly, even these high doses lead to little structural change of the perfused vasculature. Conversely, non-perfused vessels and blind ends are substantially impaired after radiation accompanied by apoptosis and reduced proliferation of their endothelium. RNAseq analysis of tumor endothelial cells confirms the modification of gene expression in apoptotic and cell cycle regulation pathways after irradiation. Therefore, we conclude that apoptosis of tumor endothelial cells after radiation does not impair vascular structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob R Kaeppler
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Jianzhou Chen
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Mario Buono
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe HospitalUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Jenny Vermeer
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Pavitra Kannan
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Wei‐Chen Cheng
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Dimitrios Voukantsis
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - James M Thompson
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Mark A Hill
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Danny Allen
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Ana Gomes
- In Vivo ImagingThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Veerle Kersemans
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Paul Kinchesh
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Sean Smart
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Francesca Buffa
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Claus Nerlov
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe HospitalUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Present address:
Department of Experimental OncologyInstitute of Oncology LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
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13
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Stolz BJ, Kaeppler J, Markelc B, Braun F, Lipsmeier F, Muschel RJ, Byrne HM, Harrington HA. Multiscale topology characterizes dynamic tumor vascular networks. Sci Adv 2022. [PMID: 35687679 DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2008.08667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Advances in imaging techniques enable high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) visualization of vascular networks over time and reveal abnormal structural features such as twists and loops, and their quantification is an active area of research. Here, we showcase how topological data analysis, the mathematical field that studies the "shape" of data, can characterize the geometric, spatial, and temporal organization of vascular networks. We propose two topological lenses to study vasculature, which capture inherent multiscale features and vessel connectivity, and surpass the single-scale analysis of existing methods. We analyze images collected using intravital and ultramicroscopy modalities and quantify spatiotemporal variation of twists, loops, and avascular regions (voids) in 3D vascular networks. This topological approach validates and quantifies known qualitative trends such as dynamic changes in tortuosity and loops in response to antibodies that modulate vessel sprouting; furthermore, it quantifies the effect of radiotherapy on vessel architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Franziska Braun
- Data Science, pRED Informatics, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Lipsmeier
- Digital Biomarkers, pRED Informatics, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helen M Byrne
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Heather A Harrington
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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14
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Stolz BJ, Kaeppler J, Markelc B, Braun F, Lipsmeier F, Muschel RJ, Byrne HM, Harrington HA. Multiscale topology characterizes dynamic tumor vascular networks. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabm2456. [PMID: 35687679 PMCID: PMC9187234 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Advances in imaging techniques enable high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) visualization of vascular networks over time and reveal abnormal structural features such as twists and loops, and their quantification is an active area of research. Here, we showcase how topological data analysis, the mathematical field that studies the "shape" of data, can characterize the geometric, spatial, and temporal organization of vascular networks. We propose two topological lenses to study vasculature, which capture inherent multiscale features and vessel connectivity, and surpass the single-scale analysis of existing methods. We analyze images collected using intravital and ultramicroscopy modalities and quantify spatiotemporal variation of twists, loops, and avascular regions (voids) in 3D vascular networks. This topological approach validates and quantifies known qualitative trends such as dynamic changes in tortuosity and loops in response to antibodies that modulate vessel sprouting; furthermore, it quantifies the effect of radiotherapy on vessel architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Franziska Braun
- Data Science, pRED Informatics, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Lipsmeier
- Digital Biomarkers, pRED Informatics, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helen M. Byrne
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Heather A. Harrington
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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15
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Heller L, Znida K, Bosnjak M, Conniff AS, Jesenko T, Markelc B, Tur J, Semenova N, Cemazar M. Comparison of DNA sensing by non-immune cells and tissues. The Journal of Immunology 2022. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.208.supp.164.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are nearly ubiquitous in both immune and non-immune mammalian cells. PRRs detect pathogen invasion as well as internal damage, inducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules and cell death. Members of the PRR subset that detect intracellular DNA are termed DNA sensors. We examined DNA sensing in non-immune cells and their equivalent tissues using electroporation. This physical delivery method mitigates the need for viral or chemical agents that could confound the source of PRR activation. We used RT-qPCR and/or RNA-Seq to quantify mRNAs encoding DNA sensors and their signaling pathways and western blots, ELISAs and bead arrays to quantify related proteins. Several tumor cell types and non-tumor cells, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and myoblasts, expressed different DNA sensors at baseline and responded to backbone plasmid DNA delivery with individual DNA sensor signatures. Some similarities were observed among all these cell types, including upregulation of the DNA sensors ZBP1, DDX60, and Ifi204, the mouse analog of human Ifi16. Each cell type secreted a range of pro-inflammatory molecules including Type I interferon. DNA electroporation to B16-F10 melanomas, skin, and skeletal muscle induced unique cytokine and chemokine signatures, paralleling cellular signatures. ZBP1, DDX60, and Ifi204 were upregulated in skin and muscle; however, no significant regulation was observed in tumors. In muscle particularly, this may be due to the homogeneity of the tissue; tumors are inherently heterogeneous, producing an assortment of individual cellular responses.
Supported by NIH grant R01CA196796.
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16
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Bosnjak M, Jesenko T, Markelc B, Cerovsek A, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Sunitinib potentiates the cytotoxic effect of electrochemotherapy in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Radiol Oncol 2022; 56:164-172. [PMID: 35344644 PMCID: PMC9122288 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2022-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the new treatment options for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer is electrochemotherapy (ECT), a local ablative therapy that potentiates the entry of chemotherapeutic drugs into the cells, by the application of an electric field to the tumor. Its feasibility and safety were demonstrated in preclinical and clinical studies; however, there is a lack of preclinical studies assessing the actions of different drugs used in ECT, their mechanisms and interactions with other target drugs that are used in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS The aim of the study was to determine the cytotoxicity of two chemotherapeutic drugs usually used in ECT (bleomycin and cisplatin) in the BxPC-3 human pancreatic carcinoma cell line and evaluate the interactions of ECT with the targeted drug sunitinib. First, the cytotoxicity of ECT using both chemotherapeutics was determined. In the next part, the interactions of ECT and sunitinib were evaluated through determination of combined cytotoxicity, sunitinib targets and kinetics of cell death. RESULTS The results demonstrate that ECT is effective in pancreatic cancer cell line, especially when bleomycin is used, with the onset of cell death in the first hours after the treatment, reaching a plateau at 20 hours after the treatment. Furthermore, we provide the rationale for combining ECT with bleomycin and the targeted drug sunitinib to potentiate cytotoxicity. The combined treatment of sunitinib and ECT was synergistic for bleomycin only at the highest used concentration of bleomycin 0.14 μM, whereas with lower doses of bleomycin, this effect was not observed. The interaction of ECT and treatment with sunitinib was confirmed by course of the cell death, also indicating on synergism. CONCLUSIONS ECT and sunitinib combined treatment has clinical potential, and further studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa Bosnjak
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Cerovsek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
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17
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Kos S, Bosnjak M, Jesenko T, Markelc B, Kamensek U, Znidar K, Matkovic U, Rencelj A, Sersa G, Hudej R, Tuljak A, Peterka M, Cemazar M. Non-Clinical In Vitro Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance Gene-Free Plasmids Encoding Human or Murine IL-12 Intended for First-in-Human Clinical Study. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101739. [PMID: 34684032 PMCID: PMC8539770 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine that mediates antitumor activity of immune cells. To fulfill its clinical potential, the development is focused on localized delivery systems, such as gene electrotransfer, which can provide localized delivery of IL-12 to the tumor microenvironment. Gene electrotransfer of the plasmid encoding human IL-12 is already in clinical trials in USA, demonstrating positive results in the treatment of melanoma patients. To comply with EU regulatory requirements for clinical application, which recommend the use of antibiotic resistance gene-free plasmids, we constructed and developed the production process for the clinical grade quality antibiotic resistance gene-free plasmid encoding human IL-12 (p21-hIL-12-ORT) and its ortholog encoding murine IL-12 (p21-mIL-12-ORT). To demonstrate the suitability of the p21-hIL-12-ORT or p21-mIL-12-ORT plasmid for the first-in-human clinical trial, the biological activity of the expressed transgene, its level of expression and plasmid copy number were determined in vitro in the human squamous cell carcinoma cell line FaDu and the murine colon carcinoma cell line CT26. The results of the non-clinical evaluation in vitro set the basis for further in vivo testing and evaluation of antitumor activity of therapeutic molecules in murine models as well as provide crucial data for further clinical trials of the constructed antibiotic resistance gene-free plasmid in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spela Kos
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Masa Bosnjak
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerceva ulica 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urska Kamensek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Znidar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Urska Matkovic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Andrej Rencelj
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rosana Hudej
- Center Odličnosti za Biosenzoriko, Instrumentacijo in Procesno Kontrolo, Mirce 21, SI-5270 Ajdovscina, Slovenia; (R.H.); (A.T.); (M.P.)
| | - Aneja Tuljak
- Center Odličnosti za Biosenzoriko, Instrumentacijo in Procesno Kontrolo, Mirce 21, SI-5270 Ajdovscina, Slovenia; (R.H.); (A.T.); (M.P.)
| | - Matjaz Peterka
- Center Odličnosti za Biosenzoriko, Instrumentacijo in Procesno Kontrolo, Mirce 21, SI-5270 Ajdovscina, Slovenia; (R.H.); (A.T.); (M.P.)
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.K.); (M.B.); (T.J.); (B.M.); (U.K.); (K.Z.); (U.M.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-5879-544
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18
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Bosnjak M, Jesenko T, Markelc B, Janzic L, Cemazar M, Sersa G. Corrigendum to "PARP inhibitor olaparib has a potential to increase the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in BRCA1 mutated breast cancer in mice" [Bioelectrochemistry 2021 (140) 107832]. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 141:107865. [PMID: 34126369 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masa Bosnjak
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Askerceva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Korytkova 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Larisa Janzic
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Korytkova 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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19
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Ursic K, Kos S, Kamensek U, Cemazar M, Miceska S, Markelc B, Bucek S, Staresinic B, Kloboves Prevodnik V, Heller R, Sersa G. Potentiation of electrochemotherapy effectiveness by immunostimulation with IL-12 gene electrotransfer in mice is dependent on tumor immune status. J Control Release 2021; 332:623-635. [PMID: 33705828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) exhibits high therapeutic effectiveness in the clinic, achieving up to 80% local tumor control but without a systemic (abscopal) effect. Therefore, we designed a combination therapy consisting of ECT via intratumoral application of bleomycin, oxaliplatin or cisplatin with peritumoral gene electrotransfer of a plasmid encoding interleukin-12 (p. t. IL-12 GET). Our hypothesis was that p. t. IL-12 GET potentiates the effect of ECT on local and systemic levels and that the potentiation varies depending on tumor immune status. Therefore, the combination therapy was tested in three immunologically different murine tumor models. In poorly immunogenic B16F10 melanoma, IL-12 potentiated the antitumor effect of ECT with biologically equivalent low doses of cisplatin, oxaliplatin or bleomycin. The most pronounced potentiation was observed after ECT using cisplatin, resulting in a complete response rate of 38% and an abscopal effect. Compared to B16F10 melanoma, better responsiveness to ECT was observed in more immunogenic 4 T1 mammary carcinoma and CT26 colorectal carcinoma. In both models, p. t. IL-12 GET did not significantly improve the therapeutic outcome of ECT using any of the chemotherapeutic drugs. Collectively, the effectiveness of the combination therapy depends on tumor immune status. ECT was more effective in more immunogenic tumors, but GET exhibited greater contribution in less immunogenic tumors. Thus, the selection of the therapy, namely, either ECT alone or combination therapy with p. t. IL-12, should be predominantly based on tumor immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Ursic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Spela Kos
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Urska Kamensek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Simona Miceska
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Simon Bucek
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Barbara Staresinic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Veronika Kloboves Prevodnik
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Richard Heller
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, FL-33612 Tampa, USA.
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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20
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Bozic T, Sersa G, Kranjc Brezar S, Cemazar M, Markelc B. Gene electrotransfer of proinflammatory chemokines CCL5 and CCL17 as a novel approach of modifying cytokine expression profile in the tumor microenvironment. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107795. [PMID: 33789177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The effectiveness of immunotherapy highly correlates with the degree and the type of infiltrated immune cells in the tumor tissue. Treatments based on modifying the immune cell infiltrate of the tumor microenvironment are thus gaining momentum. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of gene therapy with two proinflammatory chemokines CCL5 and CCL17 on inflammatory cytokine expression profile and immune cell infiltrate in two murine breast tumor models, 4T1 and E0771, and two murine colon tumor models, CT26 and MC38. In vitro, lipofection of plasmid DNA encoding CCL5 or CCL17 resulted in changes in the cytokine expression profile similar to control plasmid DNA, implying that the main driver of these changes was the entry of foreign DNA into the cell's cytosol. In vivo, gene electrotransfer resulted in high expression levels of both Ccl5 and Ccl17 transgenes in the 4T1 and CT26 tumor models. Besides a minor increase in the survival of the treated mice, the therapy also resulted in increased expression of Cxcl9 and Ifnγ, potent activators of the immune system, in CT26 tumors. However, this was not recapitulated in changes of TME, implying that a further refinement of the dosing schedule is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bozic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - G Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - S Kranjc Brezar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia.
| | - B Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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21
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Paczkowski M, Kretzschmar WW, Markelc B, Liu SK, Kunz-Schughart LA, Harris AL, Partridge M, Byrne HM, Kannan P. Reciprocal interactions between tumour cell populations enhance growth and reduce radiation sensitivity in prostate cancer. Commun Biol 2021; 4:6. [PMID: 33398023 PMCID: PMC7782740 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01529-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH) contributes to local recurrence following radiotherapy in prostate cancer. Recent studies also show that ecological interactions between heterogeneous tumour cell populations can lead to resistance in chemotherapy. Here, we evaluated whether interactions between heterogenous populations could impact growth and response to radiotherapy in prostate cancer. Using mixed 3D cultures of parental and radioresistant populations from two prostate cancer cell lines and a predator-prey mathematical model to investigate various types of ecological interactions, we show that reciprocal interactions between heterogeneous populations enhance overall growth and reduce radiation sensitivity. The type of interaction influences the time of regrowth after radiation, and, at the population level, alters the survival and cell cycle of each population without eliminating either one. These interactions can arise from oxygen constraints and from cellular cross-talk that alter the tumour microenvironment. These findings suggest that ecological-type interactions are important in radiation response and could be targeted to reduce local recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Warren W Kretzschmar
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry Biotechnology and Health, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stanley K Liu
- Sunnybrook Research Institute and Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leoni A Kunz-Schughart
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum, Dresden, Rossendorf, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
| | - Adrian L Harris
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mike Partridge
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helen M Byrne
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Pavitra Kannan
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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22
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Im JH, Buzzelli JN, Jones K, Franchini F, Gordon-Weeks A, Markelc B, Chen J, Kim J, Cao Y, Muschel RJ. FGF2 alters macrophage polarization, tumour immunity and growth and can be targeted during radiotherapy. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4064. [PMID: 32792542 PMCID: PMC7426415 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17914-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of the programming of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) controls tumour growth and anti-tumour immunity. We examined the role of FGF2 in that regulation. Tumours in mice genetically deficient in low-molecular weight FGF2 (FGF2LMW) regress dependent on T cells. Yet, TAMS not T cells express FGF receptors. Bone marrow derived-macrophages from Fgf2LMW−/− mice co-injected with cancer cells reduce tumour growth and express more inflammatory cytokines. FGF2 is induced in the tumour microenvironment following fractionated radiation in murine tumours consistent with clinical reports. Combination treatment of in vivo tumours with fractionated radiation and a blocking antibody to FGF2 prolongs tumour growth delay, increases long-term survival and leads to a higher iNOS+/CD206+ TAM ratio compared to irradiation alone. These studies show for the first time that FGF2 affects macrophage programming and is a critical regulator of immunity in the tumour microenvironment. Macrophages contribute to tumour progression and response to therapy. Here, the authors show that absence of FGF2 in the tumour microenvironment reduces tumour growth and enhances the anti-tumour immune response by altering macrophage polarization. As a result, disruption of this macrophage programming by anti-FGF2 blocking antibodies enhances the outcome from radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hong Im
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jon N Buzzelli
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Keaton Jones
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Fanny Franchini
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Dr, Oxford, OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Alex Gordon-Weeks
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jianzhou Chen
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jin Kim
- Galaxy Biotech, 1230 Bordeaux Dr, Sunnyvale, CA, 94089, USA
| | - Yunhong Cao
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
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23
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Vermeer JAF, Ient J, Markelc B, Kaeppler J, Barbeau LMO, Groot AJ, Muschel RJ, Vooijs MA. A lineage-tracing tool to map the fate of hypoxic tumour cells. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm044768. [PMID: 32571767 PMCID: PMC7406318 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intratumoural hypoxia is a common characteristic of malignant treatment-resistant cancers. However, hypoxia-modification strategies for the clinic remain elusive. To date, little is known on the behaviour of individual hypoxic tumour cells in their microenvironment. To explore this issue in a spatial and temporally controlled manner, we developed a genetically encoded sensor by fusing the O2-labile hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein to eGFP and a tamoxifen-regulated Cre recombinase. Under normoxic conditions, HIF-1α is degraded but, under hypoxia, the HIF-1α-GFP-Cre-ERT2 fusion protein is stabilised and in the presence of tamoxifen activates a tdTomato reporter gene that is constitutively expressed in hypoxic progeny. We visualise the random distribution of hypoxic tumour cells from hypoxic or necrotic regions and vascularised areas using immunofluorescence and intravital microscopy. Once tdTomato expression is induced, it is stable for at least 4 weeks. Using this system, we could show in vivo that the post-hypoxic cells were more proliferative than non-labelled cells. Our results demonstrate that single-cell lineage tracing of hypoxic tumour cells can allow visualisation of their behaviour in living tumours using intravital microscopy. This tool should prove valuable for the study of dissemination and treatment response of post-hypoxic tumour cells in vivo at single-cell resolution.This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biosensing Techniques
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Lineage
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Tracking
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genes, Reporter
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Intravital Microscopy
- Luminescent Proteins/genetics
- Luminescent Proteins/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Microscopy, Fluorescence
- Necrosis
- Oxygen/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Time Factors
- Tumor Hypoxia
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Red Fluorescent Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A F Vermeer
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Jonathan Ient
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Lydie M O Barbeau
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan J Groot
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Marc A Vooijs
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
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24
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Abstract
Recent developments in laser scanning microscopy have greatly extended its applicability in cancer imaging beyond the visualization of complex biology, and opened up the possibility of quantitative analysis of inherently dynamic biological processes. However, the physics of image acquisition intrinsically means that image quality is subject to a tradeoff between a number of imaging parameters, including resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and acquisition speed. We address the problem of geometric distortion, in particular, jaggedness artefacts that are caused by the variable motion of the microscope laser, by using a combination of image processing techniques. Image restoration methods have already shown great potential for post-acquisition image analysis. The performance of our proposed image restoration technique was first quantitatively evaluated using phantom data with different textures, and then qualitatively assessed using in vivo biological imaging data. In both cases, the presented method, comprising a combination of image registration and filtering, is demonstrated to have substantial improvement over state-of-the-art microscopy acquisition methods.
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25
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Semenova N, Bosnjak M, Markelc B, Znidar K, Cemazar M, Heller L. Multiple cytosolic DNA sensors bind plasmid DNA after transfection. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:10235-10246. [PMID: 31495892 PMCID: PMC6821305 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cells express a variety of nucleic acid sensors as one of the first lines of defense against infection. Despite extensive progress in the study of sensor signaling pathways during the last decade, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In our previous studies, we reported increased type I interferon expression and the upregulation of several proposed cytosolic DNA sensors after transfection of several tumor cell types with plasmid DNA (pDNA). In the present study, we sought to reveal the early events in the cytosolic sensing of this nucleic acid in a myoblast cell line. We demonstrated that DNA-dependent activator of interferon regulatory factors/Z-DNA binding protein 1 (DAI/ZBP1) bound plasmid DNA in the cytosol within 15 minutes of transfection and at consistent levels for 4 h. Interferon activated gene 204 protein (p204) and DEAH box helicase 9 (DHX9) also bound pDNA, peaking 15 and 30 min respectively. Plasmid DNA was not detectably bound by DEAD box helicase 60 (DDX60) protein, despite a similar level of mRNA upregulation to DAI/ZBP1, or by cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), despite its presence in the cell cytosol. Taken together, these results indicate several DNA sensors may participate and cooperate in the complex process of cytosolic DNA sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Semenova
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Masa Bosnjak
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Znidar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Loree Heller
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,School of Medical Diagnostic and Translational Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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26
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Chen J, Cao Y, Markelc B, Kaeppler J, Vermeer JA, Muschel RJ. Type I IFN protects cancer cells from CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity after radiation. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4224-4238. [PMID: 31483286 PMCID: PMC6763250 DOI: 10.1172/jci127458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of tumors with ionizing radiation stimulates an antitumor immune response partly dependent on induction of IFNs. These IFNs directly enhance dendritic cell and CD8+ T cell activity. Here we show that resistance to an effective antitumor immune response is also a result of IFN signaling in a different cellular compartment of the tumor, the cancer cells themselves. We abolished type I IFN signaling in cancer cells by genetic elimination of its receptor, IFNAR1. Pronounced immune responses were provoked after ionizing radiation of tumors from 4 mouse cancer cell lines with Ifnar1 knockout. This enhanced response depended on CD8+ T cells and was mediated by enhanced susceptibility to T cell-mediated killing. Induction of Serpinb9 proved to be the mechanism underlying control of susceptibility to T cell killing after radiation. Ifnar1-deficient tumors had an augmented response to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy with or without radiation. We conclude that type I IFN can protect cancer cells from T cell-mediated cytotoxicity through regulation of Serpinb9. This result helps explain why radiation of tumors can stimulate antitumor immunity yet also result in resistance. It further suggests potential targets for intervention to improve therapy and to predict responses.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/radiation effects
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/immunology
- Carcinoma, Lewis Lung/radiotherapy
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/radiation effects
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Humans
- Interferon Type I/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/genetics
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/radiotherapy
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/radiotherapy
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/deficiency
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/immunology
- Serpins/genetics
- Serpins/immunology
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Signal Transduction/radiation effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/radiation effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhou Chen
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yunhong Cao
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny A.F. Vermeer
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Forjanic T, Markelc B, Marcan M, Bellard E, Couillaud F, Golzio M, Miklavci D. Electroporation-Induced Stress Response and Its Effect on Gene Electrotransfer Efficacy: In Vivo Imaging and Numerical Modeling. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2019; 66:2671-2683. [DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2019.2894659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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28
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Pasquet L, Bellard E, Chabot S, Markelc B, Rols MP, Teissie J, Golzio M. Pre-clinical investigation of the synergy effect of interleukin-12 gene-electro-transfer during partially irreversible electropermeabilization against melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:161. [PMID: 31242938 PMCID: PMC6595571 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0638-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is a very aggressive skin tumor that can be cured when diagnosed and treated in its early stages. However, at the time of identification, the tumor is frequently in a metastatic stage. Intensive research is currently ongoing to improve the efficacy of the immune system in eliminating cancer cells. One approach is to boost the activation of cytotoxic T cells by IL-12 cytokine that plays a central role in the activation of the immune system. In parallel, physical methods such as electropermeabilization-based treatments are currently under investigation and show promising results. METHODS In this study, we set electrical parameters to induce a partial-irreversible electropermeabilization (pIRE) of melanoma to induce a sufficient cell death and potential release of tumor antigens able to activate immune cells. This protocol mimics the situation where irreversible electropermeabilization is not fully completed. Then, a peritumoral plasmid IL-12 electrotransfer was combined with pIRE treatment. Evaluation of the tumor growth and survival was performed in mouse strains having a different immunological background (C57Bl/6 (WT), nude and C57Bl6 (TLR9-/-)). RESULTS pIRE treatment induced apoptotic cell death and a temporary tumor growth delay in all mouse strains. In C57Bl/6 mice, we showed that peritumoral plasmid IL-12 electrotransfer combined with tumor pIRE treatment induced tumor regression correlating with a local secretion of IL-12 and IFN-γ. This combined treatment induced a growth delay of distant tumors and prevented the emergence of a second tumor in 50% of immunocompetent mice. CONCLUSIONS The combination of pIL-12 GET and pIRE not only enhanced survival but could bring a curative effect in wild type mice. This two-step treatment, named Immune-Gene Electro-Therapy (IGET), led to a systemic activation of the adaptive immune system and the development of an anti-tumor immune memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Pasquet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Elisabeth Bellard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Sophie Chabot
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Rols
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Justin Teissie
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France.
| | - Muriel Golzio
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, UMR 5089, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, Toulouse Cedex, France.
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Vooijs M, Ient J, Groot A, Vermeer J, Muschel R, Van Rheenen J, Postrach D, Markelc B. SP-0556 Tracing Tumor Hypoxia. Radiother Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(19)30976-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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30
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Lucotti S, Cerutti C, Soyer M, Gil-Bernabé AM, Gomes AL, Allen PD, Smart S, Markelc B, Watson K, Armstrong PC, Mitchell JA, Warner TD, Ridley AJ, Muschel RJ. Aspirin blocks formation of metastatic intravascular niches by inhibiting platelet-derived COX-1/thromboxane A2. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:1845-1862. [PMID: 30907747 PMCID: PMC6486338 DOI: 10.1172/jci121985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Because metastasis is associated with the majority of cancer-related deaths, its prevention is a clinical aspiration. Prostanoids are a large family of bioactive lipids derived from the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2. Aspirin impairs the biosynthesis of all prostanoids through the irreversible inhibition of both COX isoforms. Long-term administration of aspirin leads to reduced distant metastases in murine models and clinical trials, but the COX isoform, downstream prostanoid, and cell compartment responsible for this effect are yet to be determined. Here, we have shown that aspirin dramatically reduced lung metastasis through inhibition of COX-1 while the cancer cells remained intravascular and that inhibition of platelet COX-1 alone was sufficient to impair metastasis. Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) was the prostanoid product of COX-1 responsible for this antimetastatic effect. Inhibition of the COX-1/TXA2 pathway in platelets decreased aggregation of platelets on tumor cells, endothelial activation, tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium, and recruitment of metastasis-promoting monocytes/macrophages, and diminished the formation of a premetastatic niche. Thus, platelet-derived TXA2 orchestrates the generation of a favorable intravascular metastatic niche that promotes tumor cell seeding and identifies COX-1/TXA2 signaling as a target for the prevention of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lucotti
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Camilla Cerutti
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Magali Soyer
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M. Gil-Bernabé
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana L. Gomes
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip D. Allen
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Smart
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Karla Watson
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul C. Armstrong
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane A. Mitchell
- Cardiothoracic Pharmacology, Vascular Biology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy D. Warner
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne J. Ridley
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- Cancer Research UK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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31
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Bates R, Irving B, Markelc B, Kaeppler J, Brown G, Muschel RJ, Brady SM, Grau V, Schnabel JA. Segmentation of Vasculature From Fluorescently Labeled Endothelial Cells in Multi-Photon Microscopy Images. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 2019; 38:1-10. [PMID: 28796613 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2017.2725639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Vasculature is known to be of key biological significance, especially in the study of tumors. As such, considerable effort has been focused on the automated segmentation of vasculature in medical and pre-clinical images. The majority of vascular segmentation methods focus on bloodpool labeling methods; however, particularly, in the study of tumors, it is of particular interest to be able to visualize both the perfused and the non-perfused vasculature. Imaging vasculature by highlighting the endothelium provides a way to separate the morphology of vasculature from the potentially confounding factor of perfusion. Here, we present a method for the segmentation of tumor vasculature in 3D fluorescence microscopic images using signals from the endothelial and surrounding cells. We show that our method can provide complete and semantically meaningful segmentations of complex vasculature using a supervoxel-Markov random field approach. We show that in terms of extracting meaningful segmentations of the vasculature, our method outperforms both state-of-the-art method, specific to these data, as well as more classical vasculature segmentation methods.
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32
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Pasquet L, Chabot S, Bellard E, Markelc B, Rols MP, Reynes JP, Tiraby G, Couillaud F, Teissie J, Golzio M. Safe and efficient novel approach for non-invasive gene electrotransfer to skin. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16833. [PMID: 30443028 PMCID: PMC6237991 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer into cells or tissue by application of electric pulses (i.e. gene electrotransfer (GET)) is a non-viral gene delivery method that is becoming increasingly attractive for clinical applications. In order to make GET progress to wide clinical usage its efficacy needs to be improved and the safety of the method has to be confirmed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to increase GET efficacy in skin, by optimizing electric pulse parameters and the design of electrodes. We evaluated the safety of our novel approach by assaying the thermal stress effect of GET conditions and the biodistribution of a cytokine expressing plasmid. Transfection efficacy of different pulse parameters was determined using two reporter genes encoding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the tdTomato fluorescent protein, respectively. GET was performed using non-invasive contact electrodes immediately after intradermal injection of plasmid DNA into mouse skin. Fluorescence imaging of transfected skin showed that a sophistication in the pulse parameters could be selected to get greater transfection efficacy in comparison to the standard ones. Delivery of electric pulses only mildly induced expression of the heat shock protein Hsp70 in a luminescent reporting transgenic mouse model, demonstrating that there were no drastic stress effects. The plasmid was not detected in other organs and was found only at the site of treatment for a limited period of time. In conclusion, we set up a novel approach for GET combining new electric field parameters with high voltage short pulses and medium voltage long pulses using contact electrodes, to obtain a high expression of both fluorescent reporter and therapeutic genes while showing full safety in living animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Pasquet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Sophie Chabot
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Elisabeth Bellard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Rols
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Jean-Paul Reynes
- Invivogen Cayla SAS, 5 rue Jean Rodier, Zone industrielle de Montaudran, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Gérard Tiraby
- Invivogen Cayla SAS, 5 rue Jean Rodier, Zone industrielle de Montaudran, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Franck Couillaud
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Moléculaire et Thérapies innovantes en Oncologie (IMOTION) EA 7435, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Justin Teissie
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France.
| | - Muriel Golzio
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France.
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Yuzhalin AE, Gordon-Weeks AN, Tognoli ML, Jones K, Markelc B, Konietzny R, Fischer R, Muth A, O'Neill E, Thompson PR, Venables PJ, Kessler BM, Lim SY, Muschel RJ. Colorectal cancer liver metastatic growth depends on PAD4-driven citrullination of the extracellular matrix. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4783. [PMID: 30429478 PMCID: PMC6235861 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Citrullination of proteins, a post-translational conversion of arginine residues to citrulline, is recognized in rheumatoid arthritis, but largely undocumented in cancer. Here we show that citrullination of the extracellular matrix by cancer cell derived peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) is essential for the growth of liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). Using proteomics, we demonstrate that liver metastases exhibit higher levels of citrullination and PAD4 than unaffected liver, primary CRC or adjacent colonic mucosa. Functional significance for citrullination in metastatic growth is evident in murine models where inhibition of citrullination substantially reduces liver metastatic burden. Additionally, citrullination of a key matrix component collagen type I promotes greater adhesion and decreased migration of CRC cells along with increased expression of characteristic epithelial markers, suggesting a role for citrullination in promoting mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and liver metastasis. Overall, our study reveals the potential for PAD4-dependant citrullination to drive the progression of CRC liver metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Yuzhalin
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - A N Gordon-Weeks
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - M L Tognoli
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - K Jones
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - B Markelc
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - R Konietzny
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - R Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - A Muth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - E O'Neill
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - P R Thompson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - P J Venables
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, UK
| | - B M Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - S Y Lim
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - R J Muschel
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
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Lucotti S, Cerutti C, Soyer M, Gil-Bernabé AM, Gomes AL, Allen PD, Smart S, Markelc B, Watson K, Armstrong PC, Mitchell JA, Warner TD, Ridley AJ, Muschel RJ. Abstract 4196: Aspirin inhibits metastasis in the intravascular phase through the blockade of COX-1-TXA2 pathway in platelets. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2018-4196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Evidence from experimental studies and clinical trials has shown that aspirin reduces the incidence of distant metastases. Aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, triggering anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-metastatic effect of aspirin are still largely unknown.
By employing mouse models of experimental and spontaneous metastasis, we have shown that aspirin and a selective COX-1 inhibitor dramatically reduced metastatic lung nodules, an effect that was not replicated by selective inhibition of COX-2. Metastasis was impaired in COX-1 deficient mice as well, suggesting a pivotal role of microenvironmental COX-1 in the metastatic process. In particular, COX-1 activity was essential during the intravascular phase of pulmonary metastasis. Using a model of platelet depletion and re-infusion we identified platelet-derived thromboxane A2 (TXA2) as the main product of COX-1 responsible for its permissive effect on metastasis. The inhibition of the COX-1-TXA2 pathway in platelets decreased the aggregation of platelets on tumor cells and was associated with a reduction in endothelial activation, in tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium, in recruitment of metastasis-promoting monocytes/macrophages and in transendothelial migration. Thus, platelet-derived TXA2 orchestrates the generation of a favorable intravascular metastatic niche that promotes tumor cell seeding and metastasis.
Taken together, our data suggest that COX-1 inhibition in platelets by aspirin is sufficient to exert an anti-metastatic effect and shed a new light on COX-1-TXA2 signalling in the context of tumor cell dissemination. From this perspective, TXA2 might present a more selective therapeutic target for the prevention of metastasis.
Citation Format: Serena Lucotti, Camilla Cerutti, Magali Soyer, Ana M. Gil-Bernabé, Ana L. Gomes, Philip D. Allen, Sean Smart, Bostjan Markelc, Karla Watson, Paul C. Armstrong, Jane A. Mitchell, Timothy D. Warner, Anne J. Ridley, Ruth J. Muschel. Aspirin inhibits metastasis in the intravascular phase through the blockade of COX-1-TXA2 pathway in platelets [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4196.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lucotti
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Camilla Cerutti
- 2Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Magali Soyer
- 2Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M. Gil-Bernabé
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana L. Gomes
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip D. Allen
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Smart
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Karla Watson
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul C. Armstrong
- 3Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane A. Mitchell
- 4Cardiothoracic Pharmacology, Vascular Biology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy D. Warner
- 3Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne J. Ridley
- 2Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J. Muschel
- 1CRUK & MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Chen J, Markelc B, Kaeppler J, Ogundipe VML, Cao Y, McKenna WG, Muschel RJ. STING-Dependent Interferon-λ1 Induction in HT29 Cells, a Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line, After Gamma-Radiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018; 101:97-106. [PMID: 29619982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.01.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the induction of type III interferons (IFNs) in human cancer cells by gamma-rays. METHODS AND MATERIALS Type III IFN expression in human cancer cell lines after gamma-ray irradiation in vitro was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Signaling pathways mediating type III IFN induction were examined by a variety of means, including immunoblotting, flow cytometry, confocal imaging, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Key mediators in these pathways were further explored and validated using gene CRISPR knockout or short hairpin RNA knockdown. RESULTS Exposure to gamma-rays directly induced type III IFNs (mainly IFNL1) in human cancer cell lines in dose- and time-dependent fashions. The induction of IFNL1 was primarily mediated by the cytosolic DNA sensors-STING-TBK1-IRF1 signaling axis, with a lesser contribution from the nuclear factor kappa b signaling in HT29 cells. In addition, type III IFN signaling through its receptors serves as a positive feedback loop, further enhancing IFN expression via up-regulation of the kinases in the STING-TBK1 signaling axis. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that IFNL1 can be up-regulated in human cancer cell lines after gamma-ray treatment. In HT29 cells this induction occurs via the STING pathway, adding another layer of complexity to the understanding of radiation-induced antitumor immunity, and may provide novel insights into IFN-based cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhou Chen
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jakob Kaeppler
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian M L Ogundipe
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yunhong Cao
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - W Gillies McKenna
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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36
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Markelc B, Bellard E, Sersa G, Jesenko T, Pelofy S, Teissié J, Frangez R, Rols MP, Cemazar M, Golzio M. Increased permeability of blood vessels after reversible electroporation is facilitated by alterations in endothelial cell-to-cell junctions. J Control Release 2018; 276:30-41. [PMID: 29476881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of electric field pulses, i.e. electroporation (EP), to tissues has been shown to have a blood flow modifying effect. Indeed, the diameter of blood vessels exposed to EP is immediately reduced resulting in blood flow abrogation, followed by an increase in vascular permeability. The main cause of the increased permeability remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the in vivo effects of EP on permeability of blood vessels are linked to the permeabilization of endothelial cells' membrane (EC) and/or disruption of cell-to-cell junctions. We used a dorsal window chamber model in C57Bl/6 mice coupled with multiphoton microscopy and fluorescently labelled antibodies against PECAM-1 (CD31) to visualize endothelial cell-to-cell junctions. Clinically validated EP parameters were used and behavior of cell-to-cell junctions, in combination with leakage of 70 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled dextran (FD), was followed in time. After EP, a constriction of blood vessels was observed and correlated with the change in the shape of ECs. This was followed by an increase in permeability of blood vessels for 70 kDa FD and a decrease in the volume of labelled cell-to-cell junctions. Both parameters returned to pre-treatment values in 50% of mice. For the remaining 50%, we hypothesize that disruption of cell-to-cell junctions after EP may trigger the platelet activation cascade. Our findings show for the first time in vivo that alterations in cell-to-cell junctions play an important role in the response of blood vessels to EP and explain their efficient permeabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Markelc
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France; Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Elisabeth Bellard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sandrine Pelofy
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Justin Teissié
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Robert Frangez
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marie-Pierre Rols
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Muriel Golzio
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France.
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Gordon-Weeks AN, Lim SY, Yuzhalin AE, Jones K, Markelc B, Kim KJ, Buzzelli JN, Fokas E, Cao Y, Smart S, Muschel R. Neutrophils promote hepatic metastasis growth through fibroblast growth factor 2-dependent angiogenesis in mice. Hepatology 2017; 65:1920-1935. [PMID: 28133764 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic metastases are amenable to ablation; however, many patients are not suitable candidates for such therapy and recurrence is common. The tumor microenvironment is known to be essential for metastatic growth, yet identification of plausible targets for cancer therapy in the microenvironment has proven elusive. We found that human colorectal cancer liver metastases and murine gastrointestinal experimental liver metastases are infiltrated by neutrophils. Plasticity in neutrophils has recently been shown to lead to both protumor and antitumor effects. Here, neutrophils promoted the growth of hepatic metastases, given that depletion of neutrophils in already established, experimental, murine liver metastases led to diminished metastatic growth. Decreased growth was associated with reductions in vascular density and branching suggestive of vessel normalization. Metastasis-associated neutrophils expressed substantially more fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) than naïve neutrophils, indicating neutrophil polarization by the tumor microenvironment. Administration of FGF2 neutralizing antibody to mice bearing experimental liver metastases phenocopied neutrophil depletion by reducing liver metastatic colony growth, vascular density, and branching. CONCLUSION Here, we show, using FGF2 as an example, that identification of factors responsible for the protumoral effects of infiltrating myeloid cells can be used to target established liver metastases. Such therapies could be utilized to limit disease progression and potentiate the effects of standard ablative therapies. (Hepatology 2017;65:1920-1935).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex N Gordon-Weeks
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Su Y Lim
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Arseniy E Yuzhalin
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Keaton Jones
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jon N Buzzelli
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanouil Fokas
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yunhong Cao
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Smart
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Muschel
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Grogan JA, Connor AJ, Markelc B, Muschel RJ, Maini PK, Byrne HM, Pitt-Francis JM. Microvessel Chaste: An Open Library for Spatial Modeling of Vascularized Tissues. Biophys J 2017; 112:1767-1772. [PMID: 28494948 PMCID: PMC5425404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial models of vascularized tissues are widely used in computational physiology. We introduce a software library for composing multiscale, multiphysics models for applications including tumor growth, angiogenesis, osteogenesis, coronary perfusion, and oxygen delivery. Composition of such models is time consuming, with many researchers writing custom software. Recent advances in imaging have produced detailed three-dimensional (3D) datasets of vascularized tissues at the scale of individual cells. To fully exploit such data there is an increasing need for software that allows user-friendly composition of efficient, 3D models of vascularized tissues, and comparison of predictions with in vivo or in vitro experiments and alternative computational formulations. Microvessel Chaste can be used to build simulations of vessel growth and adaptation in response to mechanical and chemical stimuli; intra- and extravascular transport of nutrients, growth factors and drugs; and cell proliferation in complex 3D geometries. In addition, it can be used to develop custom software for integrating modeling with experimental data processing workflows, facilitated by a comprehensive Python interface to solvers implemented in C++. This article links to two reproducible example problems, showing how the library can be used to build simulations of tumor growth and angiogenesis with realistic vessel networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Grogan
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Anthony J Connor
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth J Muschel
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip K Maini
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M Byrne
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe M Pitt-Francis
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Grogan JA, Markelc B, Connor AJ, Muschel RJ, Pitt-Francis JM, Maini PK, Byrne HM. Predicting the Influence of Microvascular Structure On Tumor Response to Radiotherapy. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2017; 64:504-511. [PMID: 27623567 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2016.2606563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to investigate how theoretical predictions of tumor response to radiotherapy (RT) depend on the morphology and spatial representation of the microvascular network. METHODS A hybrid multiscale model, which couples a cellular automaton model of tumor growth with a model for oxygen transport from blood vessels, is used to predict the viable fraction of cells following one week of simulated RT. Both artificial and biologically derived three-dimensional (3-D) vessel networks of well vascularized tumors are considered and predictions compared with 2-D descriptions. RESULTS For literature-derived values of the cellular oxygen consumption rate there is little difference in predicted viable fraction when 3-D network representations of biological or artificial vessel networks are employed. Different 2-D representations are shown to either over- or under-estimate viable fractions relative to the 3-D cases, with predictions based on point-wise descriptions shown to have greater sensitivity to vessel network morphology. CONCLUSION The predicted RT response is relatively insensitive to the morphology of the microvessel network when 3-D representations are adopted, however, sensitivity is greater in certain 2-D representations. SIGNIFICANCE By using realistic 3-D vessel network geometries this study shows that real and artificial network descriptions and assumptions of spatially uniform oxygen distributions lead to similar RT response predictions in relatively small tissue volumes. This suggests that either a more detailed description of oxygen transport in the microvasculature is required or that the oxygen enhancement ratio used in the well known linear-quadratic RT response model is relatively insensitive to microvascular structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Grogan
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of OncologyCRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford
| | | | - Ruth J Muschel
- Department of OncologyCRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford
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Grimes DR, Kannan P, Warren DR, Markelc B, Bates R, Muschel R, Partridge M. Correction to 'Estimating oxygen distribution from vasculature in three-dimensional tumour tissue'. J R Soc Interface 2016; 13:20160362. [PMID: 27251679 PMCID: PMC4938096 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Grimes DR, Kannan P, Warren DR, Markelc B, Bates R, Muschel R, Partridge M. Estimating oxygen distribution from vasculature in three-dimensional tumour tissue. J R Soc Interface 2016; 13:20160070. [PMID: 26935806 PMCID: PMC4843681 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Regions of tissue which are well oxygenated respond better to radiotherapy than hypoxic regions by up to a factor of three. If these volumes could be accurately estimated, then it might be possible to selectively boost dose to radio-resistant regions, a concept known as dose-painting. While imaging modalities such as 18F-fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (PET) allow identification of hypoxic regions, they are intrinsically limited by the physics of such systems to the millimetre domain, whereas tumour oxygenation is known to vary over a micrometre scale. Mathematical modelling of microscopic tumour oxygen distribution therefore has the potential to complement and enhance macroscopic information derived from PET. In this work, we develop a general method of estimating oxygen distribution in three dimensions from a source vessel map. The method is applied analytically to line sources and quasi-linear idealized line source maps, and also applied to full three-dimensional vessel distributions through a kernel method and compared with oxygen distribution in tumour sections. The model outlined is flexible and stable, and can readily be applied to estimating likely microscopic oxygen distribution from any source geometry. We also investigate the problem of reconstructing three-dimensional oxygen maps from histological and confocal two-dimensional sections, concluding that two-dimensional histological sections are generally inadequate representations of the three-dimensional oxygen distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Robert Grimes
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Off Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Pavitra Kannan
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Off Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Daniel R Warren
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Off Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Off Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Russell Bates
- Engineering Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Ruth Muschel
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Off Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Mike Partridge
- Cancer Research UK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Gray Laboratory, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Off Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
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Dolinsek T, Markelc B, Bosnjak M, Blagus T, Prosen L, Kranjc S, Stimac M, Lampreht U, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Endoglin silencing has significant antitumor effect on murine mammary adenocarcinoma mediated by vascular targeted effect. Curr Gene Ther 2016; 15:228-44. [PMID: 25619888 DOI: 10.2174/1566523215666150126115501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
New targets and therapeutic approaches for vascular targeted strategies in oncology are continuously explored. Endoglin, a co-receptor of TGF-β, is a known target, however, its silencing with vector-based RNA interference technology has not been evaluated yet. Therefore, in our study, we assembled plasmid DNA coding for shRNA against endoglin, and used gene electrotransfer as a delivery method to determine its antitumor and vascular targeted effects. In vitro and in vivo data provide evidence of vascular targeted effects of endoglin silencing. The vascular targeted action of endoglin silencing could be described as a result of two separated effect; antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting effect. This was first supported by in vitro data; predominantly by reduction of proliferation and tube formation of endothelial cells. In the TS/A murine mammary carcinoma model, in which the tumor cells do not express endoglin, reduced tumor growth and number of vessels were observed. Quick destruction of existing activated blood vessels at the site of tumor cells' injection and sustained growth of tumors afterwards was observed in tumors that were growing in dorsal window chamber by intravital microscopy. This observation supports both vascular disrupting and antiangiogenic action. In conclusion, the results of our study provide evidence of endoglin as a valid target for cancer therapy and support further development of plasmid shRNA delivery, which have prolonged antitumor effect, especially in combined schedules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Markelc B, Bellard E, Sersa G, Dolinsek T, Teissie J, Golzio M, Cemazar M. Abstract 5119: Mechanisms associated with blood flow modifying effects of electric pulses used for electrochemotherapy on normal and tumor blood vessels. Cancer Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2015-5119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Electropermeabilization/electroporation (EP) is a physical method that by applying external electric pulses to cells increases cell membrane permeability and thus enables the introduction of molecules into the cells. Nowadays, it is used in treatment of tumors, where its benefits are exploited in electrochemotherapy (ECT). In vivo EP also modifies blood flow, resulting in a decreased blood flow and increased permeability of blood vessel walls; whereas ECT has a vascular disrupting effect. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of EP on normal blood vessels and the effects of EP and ECT with bleomycin on tumor vasculature with the use of in vivo microscopy.
The effects of pulse parameters used for ECT (8 pulses, 1300 V/cm, 100 μs, 1 Hz) on normal blood vessels were determined via a dorsal skinfold window chamber (DWC) with intravital two-photon microscopy after in vivo labelling of CD31 with fluorescently labeled antibodies. Furthermore, 70 kDa fluorescently labeled dextrans was used to visualize the increased permeability of blood vessel walls. Additionally, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) was used to determine the stability of the used fluorochrome. In tumors the effects of ECT pulse parameters on tumor blood vessels after EP or ECT with bleomycin were determined using 70 kDa fluorescently labeled dextrans either with two-photon or widefield intravital microsocopy via DWC. Solid mouse sarcoma SA-1 tumors were induced by a subcutaneous injection of dense cell suspension into the area of DWC in mice and an intravenous injection of bleomycin (100 μg/mouse) was performed 3 min before the application of electric pulses.
EP resulted in immediate constriction of the affected normal blood vessels and in a rapid increase of vascular permeability. This was accompanied by the change of the endothelial cells’ shape and a decrease of CD31 labelling in the cell-to-cell junctions. In vivo 3D FLIM showed no difference in the lifetime of the used fluorochrome before and after EP. When electric pulses or ECT were applied to tumors the increase in vascular permeability and the constriction of tumor blood vessels were not as pronounced as in normal blood vessels. However, there was a complete vascular lock that lasted for more than 30 min. Furthermore, ECT had a differential vascular disrupting effect on tumor blood vessels, leaving the larger normal blood vessels surrounding the tumors functional after the therapy.
In conclusion, the results of our study provide direct in vivo evidence of the difference in vascular effects of electric pulses used for ECT in normal and tumor blood vessels, show the response of normal endothelial cells to EP with two-photon microscopy and 3D FLIM, and provide evidence of the differential vascular disrupting action of ECT.
Citation Format: Bostjan Markelc, Elisabeth Bellard, Gregor Sersa, Tanja Dolinsek, Justin Teissie, Muriel Golzio, Maja Cemazar. Mechanisms associated with blood flow modifying effects of electric pulses used for electrochemotherapy on normal and tumor blood vessels. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5119. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5119
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Markelc
- 1CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth Bellard
- 2Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Gregor Sersa
- 3Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Dolinsek
- 3Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Justin Teissie
- 2Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Muriel Golzio
- 2Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Maja Cemazar
- 3Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Markelc B, Skvarca E, Dolinsek T, Kloboves VP, Coer A, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Inhibitor of endocytosis impairs gene electrotransfer to mouse muscle in vivo. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 103:111-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2014.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Blagus T, Markelc B, Cemazar M, Kosjek T, Preat V, Miklavcic D, Sersa G. In vivo real-time monitoring system of electroporation mediated control of transdermal and topical drug delivery. J Control Release 2013; 172:862-71. [PMID: 24113487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation (EP) is a physical method for the delivery of molecules into cells and tissues, including the skin. In this study, in order to control the degree of transdermal and topical drug delivery, EP at different amplitudes of electric pulses was evaluated. A new in vivo real-time monitoring system based on fluorescently labeled molecules was developed, for the quantification of transdermal and topical drug delivery. EP of the mouse skin was performed with new non-invasive multi-array electrodes, delivering different amplitudes of electric pulses ranging from 70 to 570 V, between the electrode pin pairs. Patches, soaked with 4 kDa fluorescein-isothiocyanate labeled dextran (FD), doxorubicin (DOX) or fentanyl (FEN), were applied to the skin before and after EP. The new monitoring system was developed based on the delivery of FD to and through the skin. FD relative quantity was determined with fluorescence microscopy imaging, in the treated region of the skin for topical delivery and in a segment of the mouse tail for transdermal delivery. The application of electric pulses for FD delivery resulted in enhanced transdermal delivery. Depending on the amplitude of electric pulses, it increased up to the amplitude of 360 V, and decreased at higher amplitudes (460 and 570 V). Topical delivery steadily enhanced with increasing the amplitude of the delivered electric pulses, being even higher than after tape stripping used as a positive control. The non-invasive monitoring of the delivery of DOX, a fluorescent chemotherapeutic drug, qualitatively and quantitatively confirmed the effects of EP at 360 and 570 V pulse amplitudes on topical and transdermal drug delivery. Delivery of FEN at 360 and 570 V pulse amplitudes verified the observed effects as obtained with FD and DOX, by the measured physiological responses of the mice as well as FEN plasma concentration. This study demonstrates that with the newly developed non-invasive multi-array electrodes and with the varying electric pulse amplitude, the amount of topical and transdermal drug delivery to the skin can be controlled. Furthermore, the newly developed monitoring system provides a tool for rapid real-time determination of both, transdermal and topical delivery, when the delivered molecule is fluorescent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Blagus
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Markelc B, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Differential mechanisms associated with vascular disrupting action of electrochemotherapy: intravital microscopy on the level of single normal and tumor blood vessels. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59557. [PMID: 23555705 PMCID: PMC3608732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electropermeabilization/electroporation (EP) provides a tool for the introduction of molecules into cells and tissues. In electrochemotherapy (ECT), cytotoxic drugs are introduced into cells in tumors, and nucleic acids are introduced into cells in gene electrotransfer. The normal and tumor tissue blood flow modifying effects of EP and the vascular disrupting effect of ECT in tumors have already been determined. However, differential effects between normal vs. tumor vessels, to ensure safety in the clinical application of ECT, have not been determined yet. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the effects of EP and ECT with bleomycin on the HT-29 human colon carcinoma tumor model and its surrounding blood vessels. The response of blood vessels to EP and ECT was monitored in real time, directly at the single blood vessel level, by in vivo optical imaging in a dorsal window chamber in SCID mice with 70 kDa fluorescently labeled dextrans. The response of tumor blood vessels to EP and ECT started to differ within the first hour. Both therapies induced a vascular lock, decreased functional vascular density (FVD) and increased the diameter of functional blood vessels within the tumor. The effects were more pronounced for ECT, which destroyed the tumor blood vessels within 24 h. Although the vasculature surrounding the tumor was affected by EP and ECT, it remained functional. The study confirms the current model of tumor blood flow modifying effects of EP and provides conclusive evidence that ECT is a vascular disrupting therapy with a specific effect on the tumor blood vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
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Dolinsek T, Markelc B, Sersa G, Coer A, Stimac M, Lavrencak J, Brozic A, Kranjc S, Cemazar M. Multiple delivery of siRNA against endoglin into murine mammary adenocarcinoma prevents angiogenesis and delays tumor growth. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58723. [PMID: 23593103 PMCID: PMC3589348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoglin is a transforming growth factor-β (TGF- β) co-receptor that participates in the activation of a signaling pathway that mediates endothelial cell proliferation and migration in angiogenic tumor vasculature. Therefore, silencing of endoglin expression is an attractive approach for antiangiogenic therapy of tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules against endoglin in vitro and in vivo. Therapeutic potential in vitro was assessed in human and murine endothelial cells (HMEC-1, 2H11) by determining endoglin expression level, cell proliferation and tube formation. In vivo, the therapeutic potential of siRNA molecules was evaluated in TS/A mammary adenocarcinoma growing in BALB/c mice. Results of our study showed that siRNA molecules against endoglin have a good antiangiogenic therapeutic potential in vitro, as expression of endoglin mRNA and protein levels in mouse and human microvascular endothelial cells after lipofection were efficiently reduced, which resulted in the inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation. In vivo, silencing of endoglin with triple electrotransfer of siRNA molecules into TS/A mammary adenocarcinoma also significantly reduced the mRNA levels, number of tumor blood vessels and the growth of tumors. The obtained results demonstrate that silencing of endoglin is a promising antiangiogenic therapy of tumors that could not be used as single treatment, but as an adjunct to the established cytotoxic treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Dolinsek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Coer
- Department of Natural and Medical Subjects, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Monika Stimac
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Lavrencak
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Brozic
- Department of Cytopathology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Natural and Medical Subjects, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
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Markelc B, Bellard E, Sersa G, Pelofy S, Teissie J, Coer A, Golzio M, Cemazar M. In vivo molecular imaging and histological analysis of changes induced by electric pulses used for plasmid DNA electrotransfer to the skin: a study in a dorsal window chamber in mice. J Membr Biol 2012; 245:545-54. [PMID: 22644389 PMCID: PMC3464392 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-012-9435-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Electropermeabilization/electroporation (EP) is a physical method that by application of electric pulses to cells increases cell membrane permeability and enables the introduction of molecules into the cells. One of the uses of EP in vivo is plasmid DNA electrotransfer to the skin for DNA vaccination. EP of tissues induces reduction of blood flow and, in combination with plasmid DNA, induction of an immune response. One of the EP protocols for plasmid DNA electrotransfer to the skin is a combination of high-voltage (HV) and low-voltage (LV) pulses. However, the effects of this pulse combination on skin-vessel blood flow are not known. Therefore, using intravital microscopy in a dorsal window chamber in mice and fluorescently labeled dextrans, the effects of one HV and eight LV pulses on skin vasculature were investigated. In addition, a detailed histological analysis was performed. Image analysis of fluorescence intensity changes demonstrated that EP induces a transient constriction and increased permeability of blood vessels as well as a “vascular lock.” Histological analysis revealed rounding up of endothelial cells and stacking up of erythrocytes at 1 h after EP. In addition, extravasation of erythrocytes and leukocyte infiltration accompanied by edema were determined up to 24 h after EP. In conclusion, our results show that blood flow modifying effects of EP in skin contribute to the infiltration of immune cells in the exposed area. When combined with plasmid DNA for vaccination, this could enable the initial and prolonged contact of immune cells with encoded therapeutic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Markelc B, Tevz G, Cemazar M, Kranjc S, Lavrencak J, Zegura B, Teissie J, Sersa G. Muscle gene electrotransfer is increased by the antioxidant tempol in mice. Gene Ther 2011; 19:312-20. [PMID: 21716301 PMCID: PMC3298856 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Electropermeabilization (EP) is an effective method of gene transfer into different tissues. During EP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed, which could affect transfection efficiency. The role of generated ROS and the role of antioxidants in electrotransfer in myoblasts in vitro and in Musculus tibialis cranialis in mice were, therefore, investigated. We demonstrate in the study that during EP of C2C12 myoblasts, ROS are generated on the surface of the cells, which do not induce long-term genomic DNA damage. Plasmid DNA for transfection (pEGFP-N1), which is present outside the cells during EP, neutralizes the generated ROS. The ROS generation is proportional to the amplitude of the electric pulses and can be scavenged by antioxidants, such as vitamin C or tempol. When antioxidants were used during gene electrotransfer, the transfection efficiency of C2C12 myoblasts was statistically significantly increased 1.6-fold with tempol. Also in vivo, the transfection efficiency of M. tibialis cranialis in mice was statistically significantly increased 1.4-fold by tempol. The study indicates that ROS are generated on cells during EP and can be scavenged by antioxidants. Specifically, tempol can be used to improve gene electrotransfer into the muscle and possibly also to other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Bellard E, Golzio M, Markelc B, Sersa G, Cemazar M, Teissié J. R142: Modèle de chambre dorsale pour l’analyse des modifications induites par l’électroperméabilisation sur les vaisseaux sanguins. Bull Cancer 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0007-4551(15)31063-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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