MATRIX – In silico and in vitro Models of Angiogenesis: unravelling the role of the extracellular matrix – ERC

The role of endovascular interventions has progressed rapidly over the past several decades. While animal models have long-served as the mainstay for the advancement of this field, the use of in vitro models has become increasingly widely adopted with recent advances in engineering technologies. Here, we review the strategies, mainly including bioprinting and microfabrication, which allow for fabrication of biomimetic vascular models that will potentially serve to supplement the conventional animal models for convenient investigations of endovascular interventions. Besides normal blood vessels, those in diseased states, such as thrombosis, may also be modeled by integrating cues that simulate the microenvironment of vascular disorders. These novel engineering strategies for the development of biomimetic in vitro vascular structures will possibly enable unconventional means of studying complex endovascular intervention problems that are otherwise hard to address using existing models.

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The phosphatase Shp1 interacts with and dephosphorylates cortactin to inhibit invadopodia function

Cell Communication and Signaling ◽

10.1186/s12964-021-00747-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alessia Varone ◽

Chiara Amoruso ◽

Marcello Monti ◽

Manpreet Patheja ◽

Adelaide Greco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽

Melanoma Cells ◽

Matrix Degradation ◽

Extracellular Matrix Degradation ◽

Invadopodia Formation ◽

Interference Rna

Abstract Background Invadopodia are actin-based cell-membrane protrusions associated with the extracellular matrix degradation accompanying cancer invasion. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms leading to invadopodia formation and activity is central for the prevention of tumor spreading and growth. Protein tyrosine kinases such as Src are known to regulate invadopodia assembly, little is however known on the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in this process. Among these enzymes, we have selected the tyrosine phosphatase Shp1 to investigate its potential role in invadopodia assembly, due to its involvement in cancer development. Methods Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies were employed to identify novel substrate/s of Shp1AQ controlling invadopodia activity. The phosphorylation level of cortactin, the Shp1 substrate identified in this study, was assessed by immunoprecipitation, in vitro phosphatase and western blot assays. Short interference RNA and a catalytically-dead mutant of Shp1 expressed in A375MM melanoma cells were used to evaluate the role of the specific Shp1-mediated dephosphorylation of cortactin. The anti-invasive proprieties of glycerophosphoinositol, that directly binds and regulates Shp1, were investigated by extracellular matrix degradation assays and in vivo mouse model of metastasis. Results The data show that Shp1 was recruited to invadopodia and promoted the dephosphorylation of cortactin at tyrosine 421, leading to an attenuated capacity of melanoma cancer cells to degrade the extracellular matrix. Controls included the use of short interference RNA and catalytically-dead mutant that prevented the dephosphorylation of cortactin and hence the decrease the extracellular matrix degradation by melanoma cells. In addition, the phosphoinositide metabolite glycerophosphoinositol facilitated the localization of Shp1 at invadopodia hence promoting cortactin dephosphorylation. This impaired invadopodia function and tumor dissemination both in vitro and in an in vivo model of melanomas. Conclusion The main finding here reported is that cortactin is a specific substrate of the tyrosine phosphatase Shp1 and that its phosphorylation/dephosphorylation affects invadopodia formation and, as a consequence, the ability of melanoma cells to invade the extracellular matrix. Shp1 can thus be considered as a regulator of melanoma cell invasiveness and a potential target for antimetastatic drugs.

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The Role of Biomimetic Hypoxia on Cancer Cell Behaviour in 3D Models: A Systematic Review

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13061334 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1334

Author(s):

Ye Liu ◽

Zahra Mohri ◽

Wissal Alsheikh ◽

Umber Cheema

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cellular Response ◽

3D Culture ◽

3D Models ◽

In Vitro Models ◽

Research Findings ◽

Tissue Models

The development of biomimetic, human tissue models is recognized as being an important step for transitioning in vitro research findings to the native in vivo response. Oftentimes, 2D models lack the necessary complexity to truly recapitulate cellular responses. The introduction of physiological features into 3D models informs us of how each component feature alters specific cellular response. We conducted a systematic review of research papers where the focus was the introduction of key biomimetic features into in vitro models of cancer, including 3D culture and hypoxia. We analysed outcomes from these and compiled our findings into distinct groupings to ascertain which biomimetic parameters correlated with specific responses. We found a number of biomimetic features which primed cancer cells to respond in a manner which matched in vivo response.

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Antidiabetic activity of some pentacyclic acid triterpenoids, role of PTP–1B: In vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.1016/j.ejmech.2011.03.005 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 2243-2251 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Juan José Ramírez-Espinosa ◽

Maria Yolanda Rios ◽

Sugey López-Martínez ◽

Fabian López-Vallejo ◽

José L. Medina-Franco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Antidiabetic Activity ◽

Ptp 1B

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LTBP1 promotes fibrillin incorporation into the extracellular matrix

10.1101/2021.12.16.473056 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthias Przyklenk ◽

Veronika Georgieva ◽

Fabian Metzen ◽

Sebastian Mostert ◽

Birgit Kobbe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Matrix Protein ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Extracellular Matrix Protein ◽

Connective Tissues ◽

Pathogenic Variants ◽

Human Pathology ◽

Fibrillin 1

LTBP1 is a large extracellular matrix protein and an associated ligand of fibrillin-microfibrils. Knowledge of LTBP1 functions is largely limited to its role in targeting and sequestering TGFβ growth factors within the extracellular matrix, thereby regulating their bioavailability. However, the recent description of a wide spectrum of phenotypes in multiple tissues in patients harboring LTBP1 pathogenic variants suggests a multifaceted role of the protein in the homeostasis of connective tissues. To better understand the human pathology caused by LTBP1 deficiency it is important to investigate its functional role in extracellular matrix formation. In this study, we show that LTBP1 coordinates the incorporation of fibrillin-1 and -2 into the extracellular matrix in vitro. We also demonstrate that this function is differentially exerted by the two isoforms, the short and long forms of LTBP1. Thereby our findings uncover a novel TGFβ-independent LTBP1 function potentially contributing to the development of connective tissue disorders.

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Haemodynamic flow conditions at the initiation of high-shear platelet aggregation: a combined in vitro and cellular in silico study

Interface Focus ◽

10.1098/rsfs.2019.0126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 20190126 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. J. M. van Rooij ◽

G. Závodszky ◽

A. G. Hoekstra ◽

D. N. Ku

Keyword(s):

Platelet Aggregation ◽

In Silico ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

High Shear ◽

Shear Rates ◽

Flow Simulations ◽

In Silico Study ◽

Platelet Aggregates

The influence of the flow environment on platelet aggregation is not fully understood in high-shear thrombosis. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of a high shear rate in initial platelet aggregation. The haemodynamic conditions in a microfluidic device are studied using cell-based blood flow simulations. The results are compared with in vitro platelet aggregation experiments performed with porcine whole blood (WB) and platelet-rich-plasma (PRP). We studied whether the cell-depleted layer in combination with high shear and high platelet flux can account for the distribution of platelet aggregates. High platelet fluxes at the wall were found in silico . In WB, the platelet flux was about twice as high as in PRP. Additionally, initial platelet aggregation and occlusion were observed in vitro in the stenotic region. In PRP, the position of the occlusive thrombus was located more downstream than in WB. Furthermore, the shear rates and stresses in cell-based and continuum simulations were studied. We found that a continuum simulation is a good approximation for PRP. For WB, it cannot predict the correct values near the wall.

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Inherited and Acquired Rhythm Disturbances in Sick Sinus Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Atrial Fibrillation: Lessons from Preclinical Modeling

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10113175 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3175

Author(s):

Laura Iop ◽

Sabino Iliceto ◽

Giovanni Civieri ◽

Francesco Tona

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Brugada Syndrome ◽

In Silico ◽

Cardiac Fibrosis ◽

Sick Sinus Syndrome ◽

In Vitro Models ◽

Global Functioning

Rhythm disturbances are life-threatening cardiovascular diseases, accounting for many deaths annually worldwide. Abnormal electrical activity might arise in a structurally normal heart in response to specific triggers or as a consequence of cardiac tissue alterations, in both cases with catastrophic consequences on heart global functioning. Preclinical modeling by recapitulating human pathophysiology of rhythm disturbances is fundamental to increase the comprehension of these diseases and propose effective strategies for their prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management. In silico, in vivo, and in vitro models found variable application to dissect many congenital and acquired rhythm disturbances. In the copious list of rhythm disturbances, diseases of the conduction system, as sick sinus syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation, have found extensive preclinical modeling. In addition, the electrical remodeling as a result of other cardiovascular diseases has also been investigated in models of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac fibrosis, as well as arrhythmias induced by other non-cardiac pathologies, stress, and drug cardiotoxicity. This review aims to offer a critical overview on the effective ability of in silico bioinformatic tools, in vivo animal studies, in vitro models to provide insights on human heart rhythm pathophysiology in case of sick sinus syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation and advance their safe and successful translation into the cardiology arena.

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The extracellular matrix of the developing cornea: diversity, deposition and function*

Development ◽

10.1242/dev.103.supplement.195 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 103 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 195-205

Author(s):

J. B. L. Bard ◽

M. K. Bansal ◽

A. S. A. Ross

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Chondroitin Sulphate ◽

Corneal Stroma ◽

Experimental System ◽

Collagen I ◽

And Function ◽

20 Nm

This paper examines the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the development of the cornea. After a brief summary of the corneal structure and ECM, we describe evidence suggesting that the differentiation of neural crest (NC) cells into endothelium and fibroblasts is under the control of ocular ECM. We then examine the role of collagen I in stromal morphogenesis by comparing normal corneas with those of homozygous Movl3 mice which do not make collagen I. We report that, in spite of this absence, the cellular morphology of the Movl3 eye is indistinguishable from that of the wild type. In the 16-day mutant stroma, however, the remaining collagens form small amounts of disorganized, thin fibrils rather than orthogonally organized 20 nm-diameter fibrils; a result implying that collagen I plays only a structural role and that its absence is not compensated for. It also suggests that, because these remaining collagens will not form the normal fibrils that they will in vitro, fibrillogenesis in the corneal stroma differs from that elsewhere. The latter part of the paper describes our current work on chick stromal deposition using corneal epithelia isolated with an intact basal lamina that lay down in vitro ∼3μm-thick stromas of organized fibrils similar to that seen in vivo. This experimental system has yielded two unexpected results. First, the amount of collagen and proteoglycans produced by such epithelia is not dependent on whether its substratum is collagenous and we therefore conclude that stromal production by the intact epithelium is more autonomous than hitherto thought. Second, chondroitin sulphate (CS), the predominant proteoglycan, appears to play no role in stromal morphogenesis: epithelia cultured in testicular hyaluronidase, which degrades CS, lay down stromas whose organization and fibrildiameter distribution are indistinguishable from controls. One possible role for CS, however, is as a lubricant which facilitates corneal growth: it could allow fibrils to move over one another without deforming their orthogonal organization. Finally, we have examined the processes of fibrillogenesis in the corneal stroma and conclude that they are different from those elsewhere in the embryo and in vitro, perhaps because there is in the primary stroma an unidentified, highly hydrated ECM macromolecule that embeds the fibrils and that may mediate their morphogenesis.

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Role of mechanical cues and hypoxia on the growth of tumor cells in strong and weak confinement: A dual in vitro–in silico approach

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.aaz7130 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (13) ◽

pp. eaaz7130 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Le Maout ◽

K. Alessandri ◽

B. Gurchenkov ◽

H. Bertin ◽

P. Nassoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Silico ◽

Time Course ◽

Growth Dynamics ◽

Tumor Model ◽

Mechanistic Modeling ◽

Physical Factors ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Numerical Studies

Characterization of tumor growth dynamics is of major importance for cancer understanding. By contrast with phenomenological approaches, mechanistic modeling can facilitate disclosing underlying tumor mechanisms and lead to identification of physical factors affecting proliferation and invasive behavior. Current mathematical models are often formulated at the tissue or organ scale with the scope of a direct clinical usefulness. Consequently, these approaches remain empirical and do not allow gaining insight into the tumor properties at the scale of small cell aggregates. Here, experimental and numerical studies of the dynamics of tumor aggregates are performed to propose a physics-based mathematical model as a general framework to investigate tumor microenvironment. The quantitative data extracted from the cellular capsule technology microfluidic experiments allow a thorough quantitative comparison with in silico experiments. This dual approach demonstrates the relative impact of oxygen and external mechanical forces during the time course of tumor model progression.

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