scholarly journals Engineering Breast Cancer Cells and hUMSCs Microenvironment in 2D and 3D Scaffolds: A Mechanical Study Approach of Stem Cells in Anticancer Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Despoina Nektaria Metsiou ◽  
Foteini K. Kozaniti ◽  
Despina D. Deligianni

Cell biomechanics plays a major role as a promising biomarker for early cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In the present study, alterations in modulus of elasticity, cell membrane roughness, and migratory potential of MCF-7 (ER+) and SKBR-3 (HER2+) cancer cells were elucidated prior to and post treatment with conditioned medium from human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs-CM) during static and dynamic cell culture. Moreover, the therapeutic potency of hUMSCs-CM on cancer cell’s viability, migratory potential, and F-actin quantified intensity was addressed in 2D surfaces and 3D scaffolds. Interestingly, alterations in ER+ cancer cells showed a positive effect of treatment upon limiting cell viability, motility, and potential for migration. Moreover, increased post treatment cell stiffness indicated rigid cancer cells with confined cell movement and cytoskeletal alterations with restricted lamellipodia formation, which enhanced these results. On the contrary, the cell viability and the migratory potential were not confined post treatment with hUMSCs-CM on HER2+ cells, possibly due to their intrinsic aggressiveness. The increased post treatment cell viability and the decreased cell stiffness indicated an increased potency for cell movement. Hence, the therapy had no efficacy on HER2+ cells.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1833
Author(s):  
Tsai-Tsen Liao ◽  
Wei-Chung Cheng ◽  
Chih-Yung Yang ◽  
Yin-Quan Chen ◽  
Shu-Han Su ◽  
...  

Cell migration is critical for regional dissemination and distal metastasis of cancer cells, which remain the major causes of poor prognosis and death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Although cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular deformability contribute to the migration of cancer cells and metastasis, the mechanisms governing the migratory ability of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a nongenetic source of tumor heterogeneity, are unclear. Here, we expanded colorectal CSCs (CRCSCs) as colonospheres and showed that CRCSCs exhibited higher cell motility in transwell migration assays and 3D invasion assays and greater deformability in particle tracking microrheology than did their parental CRC cells. Mechanistically, in CRCSCs, microRNA-210-3p (miR-210) targeted stathmin1 (STMN1), which is known for inducing microtubule destabilization, to decrease cell elasticity in order to facilitate cell motility without affecting the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) status. Clinically, the miR-210-STMN1 axis was activated in CRC patients with liver metastasis and correlated with a worse clinical outcome. This study elucidates a miRNA-oriented mechanism regulating the deformability of CRCSCs beyond the EMT process.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Cámara-Sánchez ◽  
Zamira V. Díaz-Riascos ◽  
Natalia García-Aranda ◽  
Petra Gener ◽  
Joaquin Seras-Franzoso ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cancer maintenance, metastatic dissemination and drug-resistance are sustained by cancer stem cells (CSCs). Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the highest numbers of CSCs and poorest prognosis. Here, we aimed to identify potential drugs targeting CSCs to be further employed in combination with standard chemotherapy in TNBC treatment. Methods The anti-CSC efficacy of up to 17 small-drugs was tested in TNBC cell lines using cell viability assays on differentiated cancer cells and CSCs. Then, the effect of 2 selected drugs (8-quinolinol -8Q- and niclosamide -NCS-) in the cancer stemness hallmarks were evaluated using mammosphere growth, cell invasion, migration and anchorage-independent growth assays. Changes in the expression of stemness genes upon 8Q or NCS treatment were also evaluated. Moreover, the potential synergism of 8Q and NCS with PTX on the CSC proliferation and on stemness-related signaling pathways was evaluated using TNBC cell lines, CSC-reporter sublines, and CSCenriched mammospheres. Finally, the efficacy of the NCS in combination with PTX was analyzed in vivo using an orthotopic mice model of MDA-MB-231 cells. Results Among all tested drug candidates, 8Q and NCS showed remarkable specific anti-CSC activity in terms of CSC viability, migration, invasion and anchorage independent growth reduction in vitro. Moreover, specific 8Q/PTX and NCS/PTX ratios at which both drugs displayed a synergistic effect in different TNBC cell lines were identified. The solely use of PTX increased the relative presence of CSCs in TNBC cells, whereas the combination with 8Q and NCS counteracted this pro-CSC activity of PTX whilst significantly reducing cell viability. In vivo, the combination of NCS with PTX reduced tumor growth, and limited the dissemination of the disease by reducing the circulating tumor cells and the incidence of lung metastasis. Conclusions The combination of 8Q and NCS with PTX at established ratios inhibits both, the proliferation of differentiated cancer cells and the viability of CSCs, opening a way to more efficacious TNBC treatments.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
B.-R. Yi ◽  
K.-A. Hwang ◽  
K.-C. Choi

When genetically engineered with chemo- or immunotherapeutic genes, stem cells can exhibit a potent therapeutic efficacy combined with their strong tumour tropism. The stem cells were genetically engineered to express a bacterial cytosine deaminase (CD) gene and/or a human interferon-β (IFN-b) gene; thus, 2 stem cell lines, HB1.F3.CD and HB1.F3.CD.IFN-b, were generated, respectively. The CD gene, one of suicide gene, can convert the nontoxic prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to an active form, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which has a powerful cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. In addition, human IFN-b is a typical cytokine having an antitumour effect. Using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), we confirmed CD and/or IFN-b gene expression in HB1.F3 (maternal stem cells) and HB1.F3.CD and HB1.F3.CD.IFN-b cells and the expression of chemoattractant ligands and receptors including stem cell factor (SCF), CXCR4, c-kit, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in breast (MCF-7) and endometrial cancer (Ishikawa) cells. To determine the migratory capability of engineered stem cells, we performed a modified trans-well assay. In addition, to identify their therapeutic efficacy, we co-cultured HB1.F3.CD or HB1.F3.CD.IFN-b with breast and endometrial cancer cells and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The engineered stem cells expressed CD and IFN-b genes and several chemoattractant molecules, SCF, CXCR4, VEGF/VEGFR2 and c-kit, were strongly expressed in breast and endometrial cancer cells. These stem cells were effectively migrated to breast and endometrial cancer cells due to chemoattractant molecules secreted by breast and endometrial cancer cells. In therapeutic efficacy, the viability of breast and endometrial cancer cells treated with 5-FC was reduced in the presence of the HB1.F3.CD and HB1.F3.CD.IFN-b cells. Cell viability was more reduced when co-cultured with HB1.F3.CD.IFN-b compared with HB1.F3.CD cells. In conclusion, the results from the present study suggest that genetically modified stem cells expressing CD and IFN-b can be used as a gene-based therapy for treating breast and endometrial cancer via their tumour tropism. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. 2011-0005723).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Cámara-Sánchez ◽  
Zamira V. Díaz-Riascos ◽  
Natalia García-Aranda ◽  
Petra Gener ◽  
Joaquin Seras-Franzoso ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cancer maintenance, metastatic dissemination and drug-resistance are sustained by cancer stem cells (CSCs). Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the highest numbers of CSCs and poorest prognosis. Here, we aimed to identify potential drugs targeting CSCs to be further employed in combination with standard chemotherapy in TNBC treatment. Methods The anti-CSC efficacy of up to 17 small-drugs was tested in TNBC cell lines using cell viability assays on differentiated cancer cells and CSCs. Then, the effect of 2 selected drugs (8-quinolinol -8Q- and niclosamide -NCS-) in the cancer stemness hallmarks were evaluated using mammosphere growth, cell invasion, migration and anchorage-independent growth assays. Changes in the expression of stemness genes upon 8Q or NCS treatment were also evaluated. Moreover, the potential synergism of 8Q and NCS with PTX on the CSC proliferation and on stemness-related signaling pathways was evaluated using TNBC cell lines, CSC-reporter sublines, and CSCenriched mammospheres. Finally, the efficacy of the NCS in combination with PTX was analyzed in vivo using an orthotopic mice model of MDA-MB-231 cells. Results Among all tested drug candidates, 8Q and NCS showed remarkable specific anti-CSC activity in terms of CSC viability, migration, invasion and anchorage independent growth reduction in vitro. Moreover, specific 8Q/PTX and NCS/PTX ratios at which both drugs displayed a synergistic effect in different TNBC cell lines were identified. The solely use of PTX increased the relative presence of CSCs in TNBC cells, whereas the combination with 8Q and NCS counteracted this pro-CSC activity of PTX whilst significantly reducing cell viability. In vivo, the combination of NCS with PTX reduced tumor growth, and limited the dissemination of the disease by reducing the circulating tumor cells and the incidence of lung metastasis. Conclusions The combination of 8Q and NCS with PTX at established ratios inhibits both, the proliferation of differentiated cancer cells and the viability of CSCs, opening a way to more efficacious TNBC treatments.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negar Mansouri ◽  
Said Al-Sarawi ◽  
Dusan Losic ◽  
Jagan Mazumdar ◽  
Jillian Clark ◽  
...  

AbstractNeural tissue engineering aims to restore function of nervous system tissues using biocompatible cell-seeded scaffolds. Graphene-based scaffolds combined with stem cells deserve special attention to enhance tissue regeneration in a controlled manner. However, it is believed that minor changes in scaffold biomaterial com-position, internal porous structure, and physicochemical properties can impact cellular growth and adhesion. The current work aims to investigate in vitro biological effects of 3D graphene oxide (GO)/sodium alginate (GOSA) and reduced GOSA (RGOSA) scaffolds on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in terms of cell viability and cytotoxicity. Herein, the effects of the 3D scaffolds, coating conditions, and serum supplementation on DPSCs functions are explored extensively. Biodegradation analysis revealed that addition of GO enhanced the degradation rate of composite scaffolds. Compared to the 2D surface, the cell viability of 3D scaffolds was higher (p <0.0001), highlighting the optimal initial cell adhesion to the scaffold surface and cell migration through pores. Moreover, the cytotoxicity study indicated that the incorporation of graphene supported higher DPSCs viability. It is also shown that when the mean pore size of scaffold increases, DPSCs activity decreases. In terms of coating conditions, poly-l-lysine (PLL) was the most robust coating reagent that improved cell-scaffold adherence and DPSCs metabolism activity. The cytotoxicity of GO-based scaffolds showed that DPSCs can be seeded in serum-free media without cytotoxic effects. This is critical for human translation as cellular transplants are typically serum-free. These findings suggest that proposed 3D GO-based scaffolds have favourable effects on the biological responses of DPSCs.


Author(s):  
Suja A. Alex ◽  
Gerald Briyolan. B ◽  
Godwin. V

Cancer is an aggressive disease with a low median survival rate. Technically, the cost of the treatment is high due to its high recurrence and mortality rates. Accurate and early diagnosis is needed to cure cancer. Even though, there is a lot of applications in the field of medical by using Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially machine learning and deep learning, has found as popular application in clinical cancer researches in recent years. The prediction of cancer cells has been reached new heights, as the technology is improved day-by-day and lots of devices are invented to detect and to cure cancer cells. Artificial Intelligence (AI)assist cancer diagnosis and prognosis, specifically with regards with unprecedented accuracy, which is even higher than that of general statistical applications in Oncology. There are different types of cancer cells and to destroy these cells, humans required certain technologies to locate and identify the type of cancer. It is very complicated to cure the cancer if it is not found in the early days. This article is about the LEUKEMIA (Blood cancer) and the technologies used for curing Leukemia. The opportunities and the challenges faced in the clinical implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).Machine Learningis used to save a life in advance by the early cancer diagnosis and prognosis in the present and in future too.


Author(s):  
Negar Mansouri ◽  
Said Al-Sarawi ◽  
Dusan Losic ◽  
Jagan Mazumdar ◽  
Jillian Clark ◽  
...  

Neural tissue engineering aims to restore function of nervous system tissues using biocompatible cell-seeded scaffolds. Graphene-based scaffolds combined with stem cells deserve special attention to enhance tissue regeneration in a controlled manner. However, it is believed that minor changes in scaffold biomaterial composition, internal porous structure, and physicochemical properties can impact cellular growth and adhesion. The current work aims to investigate in vitro biological effects of 3D graphene oxide (GO)/sodium alginate (GOSA) and reduced GOSA (RGOSA) scaffolds on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in terms of cell viability and cytotoxicity. Herein, the effects of the 3D scaffolds, coating conditions, and serum supplementation on DPSCs functions are explored extensively. Biodegradation analysis revealed that addition of GO enhanced the degradation rate of composite scaffolds. Compared to the 2D surface, the cell viability of 3D scaffolds was higher (p <0.0001), highlighting the optimal initial cell adhesion to the scaffold surface and cell migration through pores. Moreover, the cytotoxicity study indicated that the incorporation of graphene supported higher DPSCs viability. It is also shown that when the mean pore size of scaffold increases, DPSCs activity decreases. In terms of coating conditions, poly-l-lysine (PLL) was the most robust coating reagent that improved cell-scaffold adherence and DPSCs metabolism activity. The cytotoxicity of GO-based scaffolds showed that DPSCs can be seeded in serum-free media without cytotoxic effects. This is critical for human translation as cellular transplants are typically serum-free. These findings suggest that proposed 3D GO-based scaffolds have favourable effects on the biological responses of DPSCs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
B.-R. Yi ◽  
S. U. Kim ◽  
K.-C. Choi

According to the World Health Organization, cancer of cervix uteri is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Recently, cervical cancer still remains a significant public health problem for women despite the development of the human papilloma virus vaccine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of genetically engineered stem cells (GESTEC) expressing bacterial cytosine deaminase (CD), human interferon-β (IFN-b) gene, or both against HeLa human cervical cancer and the migration factors of the GESTEC toward the cancer cells. A continuously dividing immortalized cell line of neural stem cells (NSC) from a single clone of human fetal brain, HB1.F3, was developed by introducing v-myc. The further introduction of these NSC with bacterial CD and human IFN-b resulted in the generation of HB1.F3.CD and HB1.F3.CD.IFN-b cells. The anticancer effect of these GESTEC was examined in a co-culture with HeLa cells using MTT assay to measure cell viability. A transwell migration assay was performed to assess the migration capability of the stem cells to cervical cancer cells. Next, several chemoattractant ligands and their receptors related to a selective migration of the stem cells towards HeLa cells were determined by real-time PCR. The cell viability of HeLa cells was decreased in response to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), a prodrug, indicating that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a toxic metabolite, was converted from 5-FC by the CD gene and it caused the cell death in a co-culture system. When IFN-b was additionally expressed with the CD gene by these GESTEC, the anticancer activity was significantly increased. In the migration assay, the GESTEC selectively migrated to HeLa cells. As results of real-time PCR, chemoattractant ligands such as MCP-1, SCF, and VEGF were expressed in HeLa cells, and several receptors such as uPAR, VEGFR2, and c-kit were produced by the GESTEC. These GESTEC transduced with the CD gene and IFN-b may provide the potential of a novel gene therapy for anti-cervical cancer treatments via their selective tumour tropism derived from VEGF and VEGFR2 expressions between HeLa cells and the GESTEC. This work was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ009599), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.


2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 0140-0151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilaga Rati Selvaraju ◽  
Huzwah Khaza’ai ◽  
Sharmili Vidyadaran ◽  
Mohd Sokhini Abd Mutalib ◽  
Vasudevan Ramachandran ◽  
...  

Glutamate is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian central nervous system. Extreme amounts of glutamate in the extracellular spaces can lead to numerous neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to clarify the potential of the following vitamin E isomers, tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol (α-TCP), as potent neuroprotective agents against glutamate-induced injury in neuronal SK-N-SH cells. Cells were treated before and after glutamate injury (pre- and post-treatment, respectively) with 100 - 300 ng/ml TRF/α-TCP. Exposure to 120 mM glutamate significantly reduced cell viability to 76 % and 79 % in the pre- and post-treatment studies, respectively; however, pre- and post-treatment with TRF/α-TCP attenuated the cytotoxic effect of glutamate. Compared to the positive control (glutamate-injured cells not treated with TRF/α-TCP), pre-treatment with 100, 200, and 300 ng/ml TRF significantly improved cell viability following glutamate injury to 95.2 %, 95.0 %, and 95.6 %, respectively (p < 0.05).The isomers not only conferred neuroprotection by enhancing mitochondrial activity and depleting free radical production, but also increased cell viability and recovery upon glutamate insult. Our results suggest that vitamin E has potent antioxidant potential for protecting against glutamate injury and recovering glutamate-injured neuronal cells. Our findings also indicate that both TRF and α-TCP could play key roles as anti-apoptotic agents with neuroprotective properties.


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