scholarly journals Enabling high throughput target-based drug discovery in 3D cell cultures through novel bioprinting workflow

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Engel ◽  
Lisa Belfiore ◽  
Behnaz Aghaei ◽  
Margareta Sutija
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
3D Cell Cultures ◽  
High Throughput Screening Assay ◽  
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Advanced three-dimensional cell culture techniques have been adopted in many laboratories to better model in vivo tissue by recapitulating multi-cellular architecture and the presence of extracellular matrix features. We describe here a 3D cell culture platform in a small molecule screening workflow that uses traditional biomarker and intracellular kinase end point assay readouts. By combining the high throughput bioprinter Rastrum with the high throughput screening assay AlphaLISA, we demonstrate the utility of the workflow in 3D synthetic hydrogel cultures with breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and fibroblast cells. To establish and validate the workflow, we treated the breast cancer cultures with doxorubicin, while fibroblast cultures were stimulated with the pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharide. 3D and 2D MDA-MB-231 cultures were equally susceptible to doxorubicin treatment, while showing opposite ERK phosphorylation changes. Doxorubicin readily entered embedded MCF-7 spheroids and markedly reduced intracellular GSK3β phosphorylation. Furthermore, quantifying extracellular interleukin 6 levels showed a very similar activation profile for fibroblasts in 2D and 3D cultures, with 3D fibroblast networks being more resistant against the immune challenge. Through these validation experiments we demonstrate the full compatibility of the bioprinted 3D cell cultures with several widely-used 2D culture assays. The efficiency of the workflow, minimal culture handling, and applicability of traditional screening assays, demonstrates that advanced encapsulated 3D cell cultures can be used in 2D cell culture screening workflows, while providing a more holistic view on cell biology to increase the predictability to in vivo drug response.

Ratiometric Nanoviscometers: Applications for Measuring Cellular Physical Properties in 3D Cultures

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-246
Author(s):  
Charles McRae White ◽  
Mark A. Haidekker ◽  
William S. Kisaalita
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
3D Cell Cultures

New insights into the biomechanical properties of cells are revealing the importance of these properties and how they relate to underlying molecular, architectural, and behavioral changes associated with cell state and disease processes. However, the current understanding of how these in vitro biomechanical properties are associated with in vivo processes has been developed based on the traditional monolayer (two-dimensional [2D]) cell culture, which traditionally has not translated well to the three-dimensional (3D) cell culture and in vivo function. Many gold standard methods and tools used to observe the biomechanical properties of 2D cell cultures cannot be used with 3D cell cultures. Fluorescent molecules can respond to external factors almost instantaneously and require relatively low-cost instrumentation. In this review, we provide the background on fluorescent molecular rotors, which are attractive tools due to the relationship of their emission quantum yield with environmental microviscosity. We make the case for their use in both 2D and 3D cell cultures and speculate on their fundamental and practical applications in cell biology.

scholarly journals A Cell Culture Chip with Transparent, Micropillar-Decorated Bottom for Live Cell Imaging and Screening of Breast Cancer Cells

Micromachines ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Menekse Ermis ◽  
Ezgi Antmen ◽  
Ozgur Kuren ◽  
Utkan Demirci ◽  
Vasif Hasirci
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
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In the recent years, microfabrication technologies have been widely used in cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine studies. Today, the implementation of microfabricated devices in cancer research is frequent and advantageous because it enables the study of cancer cells in controlled microenvironments provided by the microchips. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and the way breast cancer cells interact with their physical microenvironment is still under investigation. In this study, we developed a transparent cell culture chip (Ch-Pattern) with a micropillar-decorated bottom that makes live imaging and monitoring of the metabolic, proliferative, apoptotic, and morphological behavior of breast cancer cells possible. The reason for the use of micropatterned surfaces is because cancer cells deform and lose their shape and acto-myosin integrity on micropatterned substrates, and this allows the quantification of the changes in morphology and through that identification of the cancerous cells. In the last decade, cancer cells were studied on micropatterned substrates of varying sizes and with a variety of biomaterials. These studies were conducted using conventional cell culture plates carrying patterned films. In the present study, cell culture protocols were conducted in the clear-bottom micropatterned chip. This approach adds significantly to the current knowledge and applications by enabling low-volume and high-throughput processing of the cell behavior, especially the cell–micropattern interactions. In this study, two different breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, were used. MDA-MB-231 cells are invasive and metastatic, while MCF-7 cells are not metastatic. The nuclei of these two cell types deformed to distinctly different levels on the micropatterns, had different metabolic and proliferation rates, and their cell cycles were affected. The Ch-Pattern chips developed in this study proved to have significant advantages when used in the biological analysis of live cells and highly beneficial in the study of screening breast cancer cell–substrate interactions in vitro.

A Novel Triazole Derivative Drug Presenting In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 1483-1493
Author(s):  
Ricardo Imbroisi Filho ◽  
Daniel T.G. Gonzaga ◽  
Thainá M. Demaria ◽  
João G.B. Leandro ◽  
Dora C.S. Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Hepatic Function ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
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Background: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide, despite many different drugs available to treat the disease. This high mortality rate is largely due to the complexity of the disease, which results from several genetic and epigenetic changes. Therefore, researchers are constantly searching for novel drugs that can target different and multiple aspects of cancer. Experimental: After a screening, we selected one novel molecule, out of ninety-four triazole derivatives, that strongly affects the viability and proliferation of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, with minimal effects on non-cancer cells. The drug, named DAN94, induced a dose-dependent decrease in MCF-7 cells viability, with an IC50 of 3.2 ± 0.2 µM. Additionally, DAN94 interfered with mitochondria metabolism promoting reactive oxygen species production, triggering apoptosis and arresting the cancer cells on G1/G0 phase of cell cycle, inhibiting cell proliferation. These effects are not observed when the drug was tested in the non-cancer cell line MCF10A. Using a mouse model with xenograft tumor implants, the drug preventing tumor growth presented no toxicity for the animal and without altering biochemical markers of hepatic function. Results and Conclusion: The novel drug DAN94 is selective for cancer cells, targeting the mitochondrial metabolism, which culminates in the cancer cell death. In the end, DAN94 has been shown to be a promising drug for controlling breast cancer with minimal undesirable effects.

Co-delivery of Doxorubicin and D-α-Tocopherol Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate by Magnetic Nanoparticles

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1138-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra Metin ◽  
Pelin Mutlu ◽  
Ufuk Gündüz
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Magnetic Nanoparticles ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol 1000 ◽  
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Background: Although conventional chemotherapy is the most common method for cancer treatment, it has several side effects such as neuropathy, alopecia and cardiotoxicity. Since the drugs are given to body systemically, normal cells are also affected, just like cancer cells. However, in recent years, targeted drug delivery has been developed to overcome these drawbacks. Objective: The aim of this study was targeted co-delivery of doxorubicin (Dox) which is an anticancer agent and D-α-Tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (vitamin E TPGS or simply TPGS) to breast cancer cells. For this purpose, Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and coated with Oleic Acid (OA). Coated nanoparticles were encapsulated in Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) and TPGS polymers and loaded with Dox. The Nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zetapotential analysis, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. Results: The results showed that NPs were spherical, superparamagnetic and in the desired range for use in drug targeting. The targetability of NPs was confirmed. Moreover, TPGS and Dox loading was shown by TGA and FTIR analyses. NPs were internalized by cells and the cytotoxic effect of drug loaded NPs on sensitive (MCF-7) and drug-resistant (MCF-7/Dox) cells were examined. It was seen that the presence of TPGS increased cytotoxicity significantly. TPGS also enhanced drug loading efficiency, release rate, cellular internalization. In MCF- 7/Dox cells, the drug resistance seems to be decreased when Dox is loaded onto TPGS containing NPs. Conclusion: This magnetic PLGA nanoparticle system is important for new generation targeted chemotherapy and could be used for breast cancer treatment after in vivo tests.

In vitro evaluation of estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antitumor effects of amentoflavone

2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712199945
Author(s):  
AT Aliyev ◽  
S Ozcan-Sezer ◽  
A Akdemir ◽  
H Gurer-Orhan
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Antiestrogenic Activity ◽  
Er Positive ◽  
In Vivo Effects ◽  
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Apigenin, a flavonoid, is reported to act as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist and inhibit aromatase enzyme. However, amentoflavone, a biflavonoid bearing two apigenin molecules, has not been evaluated for its endocrine modulatory effects. Besides, it is highly consumed by young people to build muscles, enhance mood and lose weight. In the present study, apigenin was used as a reference molecule and ER mediated as well as ER-independent estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of amentoflavone was investigated. Antitumor activity of amentoflavone was also investigated in both ER positive (MCF-7 BUS) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells and its cytotoxicity was evaluated in human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). Our data confirmed ER agonist, aromatase inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of apigenin in breast cancer cells, where no ER mediated estrogenic effect and physiologically irrelevant, slight, aromatase inhibition was found for amentoflavone. Although selective cytotoxicity of amentoflavone was found in MCF-7 BUS cells, it does not seem to be an alternative to the present cytotoxic drugs. Therefore, neither an adverse effect, mediated by an estrogenic/antiestrogenic effect of amentoflavone nor a therapeutical benefit would be expected from amentoflavone. Further studies could be performed to investigate its in vivo effects.

scholarly journals Tioconazole and Chloroquine Act Synergistically to Combat Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity via Inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Mediated ROS-Dependent Apoptosis and Autophagic Flux Inhibition in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Afnan H. El-Gowily ◽  
Samah A. Loutfy ◽  
Ehab M. M. Ali ◽  
Tarek M. Mohamed ◽  
Mohammed A. Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Mtor Pathway ◽  
Tumor Growth Inhibition ◽  
Autophagic Flux ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
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Cancer is a complex devastating disease with enormous treatment challenges, including chemo- and radiotherapeutic resistance. Combination therapy demonstrated a promising strategy to target hard-to-treat cancers and sensitize cancer cells to conventional anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin. This study aimed to establish molecular profiling and therapeutic efficacy assessment of chloroquine and/or tioconazole (TIC) combination with doxorubicin (DOX) as anew combination model in MCF-7 breast cancer. The drugs are tested against apoptotic/autophagic pathways and related redox status. Molecular docking revealed that chloroquine (CQ) and TIC could be potential PI3K and ATG4B pathway inhibitors. Combination therapy significantly inhibited cancer cell viability, PI3K/AkT/mTOR pathway, and tumor-supporting autophagic flux, however, induced apoptotic pathways and altered nuclear genotoxic feature. Our data revealed that the combination cocktail therapy markedly inhibited tumor proliferation marker (KI-67) and cell growth, along with the accumulation of autophagosomes and elevation of LC3-II and p62 levels indicated autophagic flux blockage and increased apoptosis. Additionally, CQ and/or TIC combination therapy with DOX exerts its activity on the redox balance of cancer cells mediated ROS-dependent apoptosis induction achieved by GPX3 suppression. Besides, Autophagy inhibition causes moderately upregulation in ATGs 5,7 redundant proteins strengthened combinations induced apoptosis, whereas inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway with Beclin-1 upregulation leading to cytodestructive autophagy with overcome drug resistance effectively in curing cancer. Notably, the tumor growth inhibition and various antioxidant effects were observed in vivo. These results suggest CQ and/or TIC combination with DOX could act as effective cocktail therapy targeting autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and hence, sensitizes cancer cells to doxorubicin treatment and combat its toxicity.

scholarly journals Inhibition of MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation by 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone; a role for p21(Cip1/Waf1)

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 793-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Greeve ◽  
RK Allan ◽  
JM Harvey ◽  
JM Bentel
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Cyclin D3 ◽  
P27 Kip1 ◽  
Mcf 7

Androgens inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by mechanisms that remain poorly defined. In this study, treatment of asynchronously growing MCF-7 breast cancer cells with the androgen, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), was shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce moderate increases in the proportion of G1 phase cells. Consistent with targeting the G1-S phase transition, DHT pretreatment of MCF-7 cultures impeded the serum-induced progression of G1-arrested cells into S phase and reduced the kinase activities of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)4 and Cdk2 to less than 50% of controls within 3 days. DHT treatment was associated with greater than twofold increases in the levels of the Cdk inhibitor, p27(Kip1), while p21(Cip1/Waf1) protein levels remained unchanged. During the first 24 h of DHT treatment, levels of Cdk4-associated p21(Cip1/Waf1) and p27(Kip1) were reduced coinciding with decreased levels of Cdk4-associated cyclin D3. In contrast, DHT treatment caused increased accumulation of Cdk2-associated p21(Cip1/Waf1), with no significant alterations in levels of p27(Kip1) bound to Cdk2 complexes. These findings suggest that DHT reverses the Cdk4-mediated titration of p21(Cip1/Waf1) and p27(Kip1) away from Cdk2 complexes, and that the increased association of p21(Cip1/Waf1) with Cdk2 complexes in part mediates the androgen-induced growth inhibition of breast cancer cells.

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