scholarly journals 2D or 3D? How in vitro cell motility is conserved across dimensions, and predicts in vivo invasion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sualyneth Galarza ◽  
Hyuna Kim ◽  
Naciye Atay ◽  
Shelly R Peyton ◽  
Jennifer M Munson

AbstractCell motility is a critical aspect of wound healing, the immune response, and is deregulated in cancer. Current limitations in imaging tools make it difficult to study cell migration in vivo. To overcome this, and to identify drivers from the microenvironment that regulate cell migration, bioengineers have developed 2D and 3D tissue model systems in which to study cell motility in vitro, with the aim of mimicking the environments in which cells move in vivo. However, there has been no systematic study to explicitly relate and compare cell motility measurements between these geometries/systems. Here, we provide such analysis on our own data, as well as across data in existing literature to understand whether, and which, in vitro models are predictive of in vivo cell motility. To our surprise, many metrics of cell movement on 2D surfaces significantly and positively correlate with cell migration in 3D environments, and cell invasion in 3D is negatively correlated with glioblastoma invasion in vivo. Finally, to best compare across complex model systems, in vivo data, and data from different labs, we suggest that groups report an effect size, a statistical tool that is most translatable across experiments and labs, when conducting experiments that affect cellular motility.

Development ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (7) ◽  
pp. dev191767
Author(s):  
Jessica Stock ◽  
Andrea Pauli

ABSTRACTSelf-organization is a key feature of many biological and developmental processes, including cell migration. Although cell migration has traditionally been viewed as a biological response to extrinsic signals, advances within the past two decades have highlighted the importance of intrinsic self-organizing properties to direct cell migration on multiple scales. In this Review, we will explore self-organizing mechanisms that lay the foundation for both single and collective cell migration. Based on in vitro and in vivo examples, we will discuss theoretical concepts that underlie the persistent migration of single cells in the absence of directional guidance cues, and the formation of an autonomous cell collective that drives coordinated migration. Finally, we highlight the general implications of self-organizing principles guiding cell migration for biological and medical research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (34) ◽  
pp. 8581-8586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengbo Wang ◽  
Marcel Dreger ◽  
Elena Madrazo ◽  
Craig J. Williams ◽  
Rafael Samaniego ◽  
...  

Cell migration through extracellular matrices requires nuclear deformation, which depends on nuclear stiffness. In turn, chromatin structure contributes to nuclear stiffness, but the mechanosensing pathways regulating chromatin during cell migration remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5), an essential component of H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, regulates cell polarity, nuclear deformability, and migration of lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo, independent of transcriptional activity, suggesting nongenomic functions for WDR5. Similarly, depletion of RbBP5 (another H3K4 methyltransferase subunit) promotes similar defects. We reveal that a 3D environment increases the H3K4 methylation dependent on WDR5 and results in a globally less compacted chromatin conformation. Further, using atomic force microscopy, nuclear particle tracking, and nuclear swelling experiments, we detect changes in nuclear mechanics that accompany the epigenetic changes induced in 3D conditions. Indeed, nuclei from cells in 3D environments were softer, and thereby more deformable, compared with cells in suspension or cultured in 2D conditions, again dependent on WDR5. Dissecting the underlying mechanism, we determined that actomyosin contractility, through the phosphorylation of myosin by MLCK (myosin light chain kinase), controls the interaction of WDR5 with other components of the methyltransferase complex, which in turn up-regulates H3K4 methylation activation in 3D conditions. Taken together, our findings reveal a nongenomic function for WDR5 in regulating H3K4 methylation induced by 3D environments, physical properties of the nucleus, cell polarity, and cell migratory capacity.


1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 1235-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Sanderson ◽  
Michael Way ◽  
Geoffrey L. Smith

ABSTRACT Many viruses induce profound changes in cell metabolism and function. Here we show that vaccinia virus induces two distinct forms of cell movement. Virus-induced cell migration was demonstrated by an in vitro wound healing assay in which infected cells migrated independently into the wound area while uninfected cells remained relatively static. Time-lapse microscopy showed that the maximal rate of migration occurred between 9 and 12 h postinfection. Virus-induced cell migration was inhibited by preinactivation of viral particles with trioxsalen and UV light or by the addition of cycloheximide but not by addition of cytosine arabinoside or rifampin. The expression of early viral genes is therefore necessary and sufficient to induce cell migration. Following migration, infected cells developed projections up to 160 μm in length which had growth-cone-like structures and were frequently branched. Time-lapse video microscopy showed that these projections were formed by extension and condensation of lamellipodia from the cell body. Formation of extensions was dependent on late gene expression but not the production of intracellular enveloped (IEV) particles. The requirements for virus-induced cell migration and for the formation of extensions therefore differ from each other and are distinct from the polymerization of actin tails on IEV particles. These data show that poxviruses encode genes which control different aspects of cell motility and thus represent a useful model system to study and dissect cell movement.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias X. Dong ◽  
Shivashankar Othy ◽  
Milton L. Greenberg ◽  
Amit Jairaman ◽  
Chijioke Akunwafo ◽  
...  

AbstractCa2+ influx through Orai1 channels is crucial for several T cell functions, but a role in regulating basal cellular motility has not been described. Here we show that inhibition of Orai1 channel activity increases average cell velocities by reducing the frequency of pauses in human T cells migrating through confined spaces, even in the absence of extrinsic cell contacts or antigen recognition. Utilizing a novel ratiometric genetically encoded cytosolic Ca2+ indicator, Salsa6f, which permits real-time monitoring of cytosolic Ca2+ along with cell motility, we show that spontaneous pauses during T cell motility in vitro and in vivo coincide with episodes of cytosolic Ca2+ signaling. Furthermore, lymph node T cells exhibited two types of spontaneous Ca2+ transients: short-duration “sparkles” and longer duration global signals. Our results demonstrate that spontaneous and self-peptide MHC-dependent activation of Orai1 ensures random walk behavior in T cells to optimize immune surveillance.


eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias X Dong ◽  
Shivashankar Othy ◽  
Milton L Greenberg ◽  
Amit Jairaman ◽  
Chijioke Akunwafo ◽  
...  

Ca2+ influx through Orai1 channels is crucial for several T cell functions, but a role in regulating basal cellular motility has not been described. Here, we show that inhibition of Orai1 channel activity increases average cell velocities by reducing the frequency of pauses in human T cells migrating through confined spaces, even in the absence of extrinsic cell contacts or antigen recognition. Utilizing a novel ratiometric genetically encoded cytosolic Ca2+ indicator, Salsa6f, which permits real-time monitoring of cytosolic Ca2+ along with cell motility, we show that spontaneous pauses during T cell motility in vitro and in vivo coincide with episodes of cytosolic Ca2+ signaling. Furthermore, lymph node T cells exhibited two types of spontaneous Ca2+ transients: short-duration ‘sparkles’ and longer duration global signals. Our results demonstrate that spontaneous and self-peptide MHC-dependent activation of Orai1 ensures random walk behavior in T cells to optimize immune surveillance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi265-vi265
Author(s):  
Zev Binder ◽  
Sarah Hyun Ji Kim ◽  
Pei-Hsun Wu ◽  
Anjil Giri ◽  
Gary Gallia ◽  
...  

Abstract Current model systems used for GBM research include traditional in vitro cell line-based assays and in vivo animal studies. In vitro model systems offer the advantages of being easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and fast growing. However, these models lack key elements of the pathology they are attempting to model, including the biochemical and biophysical microenvironment and three-dimensional structure inherent to human brain tissue. In vivo model systems address these limitations, but have restrictions of their own. Species differences may result in non-applicable results and animal experiments are often not designed like clinical trials. Evidence of the limitations of current GBM models is found in the disparity between basic research findings and successful new treatments for GBMs in the clinic. Here we present an alternative model system for the study of human GBM cell motility and invasion, which features advantages of both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Using human organotypic brain slices as scaffolding for tumor growth, we explored the dynamic process of GBM cell invasion within human brain tissue. To demonstrate the utility of the model system, we investigated the effects of depletion of integrin α V (ITGAV) and CD44 on GBM cell motility. These two cell-surface proteins have been identified to have key functions in GBM cell motility. However, knockdown of ITGAV had little effect on tumor cell motility in organotypics while CD44 knockdown significantly reduced cell movement. Finally, we compare motility results from cells in human brain slices to those from cells growing on standard Matrigel and in mouse brain organotypics. We found significant differences in motility depending on the substrate in which the cells were moving. Our findings highlight the physiologic characteristics of human brain organotypics and demonstrate the use of real-time imaging in the ex vivo system.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
MoonSun Jung ◽  
Joanna Skhinas ◽  
Eric Y Du ◽  
Maria Kristine Tolentino ◽  
Robert Utama ◽  
...  

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of migration and metastasis is a key focus of cancer research. There is an urgent need to develop in vitro 3D tumor models that can mimic physiological cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, with high reproducibility and that are suitable for high throughput (HTP) drug screening. Here, we developed a HTP 3D bioprinted migration model using a bespoke drop-on-demand bioprinting platform. This HTP platform coupled with tunable hydrogel systems enables (i) the rapid encapsulation of cancer cells within in vivo tumor mimicking matrices, (ii) in situ and real-time measurement of cell movement, (iii) detailed molecular analysis for the study of mechanisms underlying cell migration and invasion, and (iv) the identification of novel therapeutic options. This work demonstrates that this HTP 3D bioprinted cell migration platform has broad applications across quantitative cell and cancer biology as well as drug screening.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Basti ◽  
Rita Fior ◽  
Müge Yalҫin ◽  
Vanda Póvoa ◽  
Rosario Astaburuaga ◽  
...  

Malfunctions of circadian clock trigger abnormal cellular processes and influence tumorigenesis. Using an in vitro and in vivo xenograft model, we show that circadian clock disruption via the downregulation of the core-clock genes BMAL1, PER2, and NR1D1 impacts the circadian phenotype of MYC, WEE1, and TP53, and affects proliferation, apoptosis, and cell migration. In particular, both our in vitro and in vivo results suggest an impairment of cell motility and a reduction in micrometastasis formation upon knockdown of NR1D1, accompanied by altered expression levels of SNAI1 and CD44. Interestingly we show that differential proliferation and reduced tumour growth in vivo may be due to the additional influence of the host-clock and/or to the 3D tumour architecture. Our results raise new questions concerning host–tumour interaction and show that core-clock genes are involved in key cancer properties, including the regulation of cell migration and invasion by NR1D1 in zebrafish xenografts.


Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (14) ◽  
pp. 3035-3046 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.J. Montell

Cell migrations are found throughout the animal kingdom and are among the most dramatic and complex of cellular behaviors. Historically, the mechanics of cell migration have been studied primarily in vitro, where cells can be readily viewed and manipulated. However, genetic approaches in relatively simple model organisms are yielding additional insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cell movements and their regulation during development. This review will focus on these simple model systems where we understand some of the signaling and receptor molecules that stimulate and guide cell movements. The chemotactic guidance factor encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans unc-6 locus, whose mammalian homolog is Netrin, is perhaps the best known of the cell migration guidance factors. In addition, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and FGF receptors in particular, have emerged as key mediators of cell migration in vivo, confirming the importance of molecules that were initially identified and studied in cell culture. Somewhat surprisingly, screens for mutations that affect primordial germ cell migration in Drosophila have revealed that enzymes involved in lipid metabolism play a role in guiding cell migration in vivo, possibly by producing and/or degrading lipid chemoattractants or chemorepellents. Cell adhesion molecules, such as integrins, have been extensively characterized with respect to their contribution to cell migration in vitro and genetic evidence now supports a role for these receptors in certain instances in vivo as well. The role for non-muscle myosin in cell motility was controversial, but has now been demonstrated genetically, at least in some cell types. Currently the best characterized link between membrane receptor signaling and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is that provided by the Rho family of small GTPases. Members of this family are clearly essential for the migrations of some cells; however, key questions remain concerning how chemoattractant and chemorepellent signals are integrated within the cell and transduced to the cytoskeleton to produce directed cell migration. New types of genetic screens promise to fill in some of these gaps in the near future.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. C1103-C1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. O’Brien ◽  
Gaoyuan Cao ◽  
Antonis Makrigiannakis ◽  
Horace M. DeLisser

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1), a transmembrane glycoprotein, has been implicated in angiogenesis, with recent evidence indicating the involvement of PECAM-1 in endothelial cell motility. The cytoplasmic domain of PECAM-1 contains two tyrosine residues, Y663 and Y686, that each fall within an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM). When phosphorylated, these residues together mediate the binding of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. Because SHP-2 has been shown to be involved in the turnover of focal adhesions, a phenomenon required for efficient cell motility, the association of this phosphatase with PECAM-1 via its ITIMs may represent a mechanism by which PECAM-1 might facilitate cell migration. Studies were therefore done with cell transfectants expressing wild-type PECAM or mutant PECAM-1 in which residues Y663 and Y686 were mutated. These mutations eliminated PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and the association of PECAM-1 with SHP-2 but did not impair the ability of the molecule to localize at intercellular junctions or to bind homophilically. However, in vitro cell motility and tube formation stimulated by the expression of wild-type PECAM-1 were abrogated by the mutation of these tyrosine residues. Importantly, during wound-induced migration, the number of focal adhesions as well as the level of tyrosine phosphorylated paxillin detected in cells expressing wild-type PECAM-1 were markedly reduced compared with control cells or transfectants with mutant PECAM-1. These data suggest that, in vivo, the binding of SHP-2 to PECAM-1, via PECAM-1’s ITIM domains, promotes the turnover of focal adhesions and, hence, endothelial cell motility.


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