1
|
Wilby AJ, Cabral S, Zoghi N, Howell SJ, Farnie G, Harrison H. A novel preclinical model of the normal human breast. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2024; 29:9. [PMID: 38695983 PMCID: PMC11065935 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-024-09562-4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Improved screening and treatment have decreased breast cancer mortality, although incidence continues to rise. Women at increased risk of breast cancer can be offered risk reducing treatments, such as tamoxifen, but this has not been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. New, more efficacious, risk-reducing agents are needed. The identification of novel candidates for prevention is hampered by a lack of good preclinical models. Current patient derived in vitro and in vivo models cannot fully recapitulate the complexities of the human tissue, lacking human extracellular matrix, stroma, and immune cells, all of which are known to influence therapy response. Here we describe a normal breast explant model utilising a tuneable hydrogel which maintains epithelial proliferation, hormone receptor expression, and residency of T cells and macrophages over 7 days. Unlike other organotypic tissue cultures which are often limited by hyper-proliferation, loss of hormone signalling, and short treatment windows (< 48h), our model shows that tissue remains viable over 7 days with none of these early changes. This offers a powerful and unique opportunity to model the normal breast and study changes in response to various risk factors, such as breast density and hormone exposure. Further validation of the model, using samples from patients undergoing preventive therapies, will hopefully confirm this to be a valuable tool, allowing us to test novel agents for breast cancer risk reduction preclinically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Wilby
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom
- Manchester Breast Centre, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Cabral
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom
- Manchester Breast Centre, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom
- Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Nastaran Zoghi
- Department of Materials & Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Sacha J Howell
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom
- Manchester Breast Centre, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 29 Grafton St, Manchester, M13 9WU, United Kingdom
- The Nightingale and Prevent Breast Cancer Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M23 9LT, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Farnie
- Cancer Research Horizons, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Manchester, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Harrison
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom.
- Manchester Breast Centre, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aalders J, Léger L, Tuerlings T, Ledda S, van Hengel J. Liquid marble technology to create cost-effective 3D cardiospheres as a platform for in vitro drug testing and disease modelling. MethodsX 2020; 7:101065. [PMID: 33005571 PMCID: PMC7509398 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.101065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culturing has several advantages over 2D cultures. 3D cell cultures more accurately mimic the in vivo environment, which is vital to obtain reliable results in disease modelling and toxicity testing. With the introduction of the Yamanaka factors, reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) became available. This iPSC technology provides a scalable source of differentiated cells. iPSCs can be programmed to differentiate into any cell type of the body, including cardiomyocytes. These heart-specific muscle cells, can then serve as a model for therapeutic drug screening or assay development. Current methods to achieve multicellular spheroids by 3D cell cultures, such as hanging drop and spinner flasks are expensive, time-consuming and require specialized materials and training. Hydrophobic powders can be used to create a micro environment for cell cultures, which are termed liquid marbles (LM). In this procedure we describe the first use of the LM technology for 3D culturing in vitro derived human cardiomyocytes which results in the formation of cardiospheres within 24h. The cardiospheres could be used for several in depth and high-throughput analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Aalders
- Medical Cell Biology research group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Building B, Entrance 36, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laurens Léger
- Medical Cell Biology research group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Building B, Entrance 36, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Tuerlings
- Medical Cell Biology research group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Building B, Entrance 36, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sergio Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Jolanda van Hengel
- Medical Cell Biology research group, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Building B, Entrance 36, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Murphy AR, Truong YB, O'Brien CM, Glattauer V. Bio-inspired human in vitro outer retinal models: Bruch's membrane and its cellular interactions. Acta Biomater 2020; 104:1-16. [PMID: 31945506 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Retinal degenerative disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, however, treatments to completely stop the progression of these debilitating conditions are non-existent. Researchers require sophisticated models that can accurately represent the native structure of human retinal tissue to study these disorders. Current in vitro models used to study the retina are limited in their ability to fully recapitulate the structure and function of the retina, Bruch's membrane and the underlying choroid. Recent developments in the field of induced pluripotent stem cell technology has demonstrated the capability of retinal pigment epithelial cells to recapitulate AMD-like pathology. However, such studies utilise unsophisticated, bio-inert membranes to act as Bruch's membrane and support iPSC-derived retinal cells. This review presents a concise summary of the properties and function of the Bruch's membrane-retinal pigment epithelium complex, the initial pathogenic site of AMD as well as the current status for materials and fabrication approaches used to generate in vitro models of this complex tissue. Finally, this review explores required advances in the field of in vitro retinal modelling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Retinal degenerative disorders such as age-related macular degeneration are worldwide leading causes of blindness. Previous attempts to model the Bruch's membrane-retinal pigment epithelial complex, the initial pathogenic site of age-related macular degeneration, have lacked the sophistication to elucidate valuable insights into disease mechanisms. Here we provide a detailed account of the morphological, physical and chemical properties of Bruch's membrane which may aid the fabrication of more sophisticated and physiologically accurate in vitro models of the retina, as well as various fabrication techniques to recreate this structure. This review also further highlights some recent advances in some additional challenging aspects of retinal tissue modelling including integrated fluid flow and photoreceptor alignment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R Murphy
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
| | - Yen B Truong
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Carmel M O'Brien
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Science, Technology, Research and Innovation Precinct (STRIP), Monash University, Clayton Campus, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wright KT, Uchida K, Bara JJ, Roberts S, El Masri W, Johnson WE. Spinal motor neurite outgrowth over glial scar inhibitors is enhanced by coculture with bone marrow stromal cells. Spine J 2014; 14:1722-33. [PMID: 24462452 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2014.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Transplantation of bone marrow cells into spinal cord lesions promotes functional recovery in animal models, and recent clinical trials suggest possible recovery also in humans. The mechanisms responsible for these improvements are still unclear. PURPOSE To characterize spinal cord motor neurite interactions with human bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) in an in vitro model of spinal cord injury (SCI). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Previously, we have reported that human MSCs promote the growth of extending sensory neurites from dorsal root ganglia (DRG), in the presence of some of the molecules present in the glial scar, which are attributed with inhibiting axonal regeneration after SCI. We have adapted and optimized this system replacing the DRG with a spinal cord culture to produce a central nervous system (CNS) model, which is more relevant to the SCI situation. METHODS We have developed and characterized a novel spinal cord culture system. Human MSCs were cocultured with spinal motor neurites in substrate choice assays containing glial scar-associated inhibitors of nerve growth. In separate experiments, MSC-conditioned media were analyzed and added to spinal motor neurites in substrate choice assays. RESULTS As has been reported previously with DRG, substrate-bound neurocan and Nogo-A repelled spinal neuronal adhesion and neurite outgrowth, but these inhibitory effects were abrogated in MSC/spinal cord cocultures. However, unlike DRG, spinal neuronal bodies and neurites showed no inhibition to substrates of myelin-associated glycoprotein. In addition, the MSC secretome contained numerous neurotrophic factors that stimulated spinal neurite outgrowth, but these were not sufficient stimuli to promote spinal neurite extension over inhibitory concentrations of neurocan or Nogo-A. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide novel insight into how MSC transplantation may promote regeneration and functional recovery in animal models of SCI and in the clinic, especially in the chronic situation in which glial scars (and associated neural inhibitors) are well established. In addition, we have confirmed that this CNS model predominantly comprises motor neurons via immunocytochemical characterization. We hope that this model may be used in future research to test various other potential interventions for spinal injury or disease states.
Collapse
|