scholarly journals Ultrasound and Transcriptomics Identify a Differential Impact of Cisplatin and Histone Deacetylation on Tumor Structure and Microenvironment in a Patient-Derived In Vivo Model of Gastric Cancer

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1485
Author(s):  
Aina Venkatasamy ◽  
Eric Guerin ◽  
Anais Blanchet ◽  
Christophe Orvain ◽  
Véronique Devignot ◽  
...  

The reasons behind the poor efficacy of transition metal-based chemotherapies (e.g., cisplatin) or targeted therapies (e.g., histone deacetylase inhibitors, HDACi) on gastric cancer (GC) remain elusive and recent studies suggested that the tumor microenvironment could contribute to the resistance. Hence, our objective was to gain information on the impact of cisplatin and the pan-HDACi SAHA (suberanilohydroxamic acid) on the tumor substructure and microenvironment of GC, by establishing patient-derived xenografts of GC and a combination of ultrasound, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptomics to analyze. The tumors responded partially to SAHA and cisplatin. An ultrasound gave more accurate tumor measures than a caliper. Importantly, an ultrasound allowed a noninvasive real-time access to the tumor substructure, showing differences between cisplatin and SAHA. These differences were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and transcriptomic analyses of the tumor microenvironment, identifying specific cell type signatures and transcription factor activation. For instance, cisplatin induced an “epithelial cell like” signature while SAHA favored a “mesenchymal cell like” one. Altogether, an ultrasound allowed a precise follow-up of the tumor progression while enabling a noninvasive real-time access to the tumor substructure. Combined with transcriptomics, our results underline the different intra-tumoral structural changes caused by both drugs that impact differently on the tumor microenvironment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Imam Uddin ◽  
Tyler C. Kilburn ◽  
Sara Z. Jamal ◽  
Craig L. Duvall ◽  
John S. Penn

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and retinal vein occlusion are potentially blinding conditions largely due to their respective neovascular components. The development of real-time in vivo molecular imaging methods, to assess levels of retinal neovascularization (NV), would greatly benefit patients afflicted with these conditions. mRNA hybridization techniques offer a potential method to image retinal NV. The success of these techniques hinges on the selection of a target mRNA whose tissue levels and spatial expression patterns correlate closely with disease burden. Using a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), we previously observed dramatic increases in retinal endoglin that localized to neovascular structures (NV), directly correlating with levels of neovascular pathology. Based on these findings, we have investigated Endoglin mRNA as a potential marker for imaging retinal NV in OIR mice. Also of critical importance, is the application of innovative technologies capable of detecting mRNAs in living systems with high sensitivity and specificity. To detect and visualize endoglin mRNA in OIR mice, we have designed and synthesized a novel imaging probe composed of short-hairpin anti-sense (AS) endoglin RNA coupled to a fluorophore and black hole quencher (AS-Eng shRNA). This assembly allows highly sensitive fluorescence emission upon hybridization of the AS-Eng shRNA to cellular endoglin mRNA. The AS-Eng shRNA is further conjugated to a diacyl-lipid (AS-Eng shRNA–lipid referred to as probe). The lipid moiety binds to serum albumin facilitating enhanced systemic circulation of the probe. OIR mice received intraperitoneal injections of AS-Eng shRNA–lipid. Ex vivo imaging of their retinas revealed specific endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence superimposed on neovascular structures. Room air mice receiving AS-Eng shRNA–lipid and OIR mice receiving a non-sense control probe showed little fluorescence activity. In addition, we found that cells in neovascular lesions labelled with endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence, co-labelled with the macrophage/microglia-associated marker IBA1. Others have shown that cells expressing macrophage/microglia markers associate with retinal neovascular structures in proportion to disease burden. Hence we propose that our probe may be used to image and to estimate the levels of retinal neovascular disease in real-time in living systems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 103-B (7 Supple B) ◽  
pp. 9-16
Author(s):  
William J. Hadden ◽  
Mazen Ibrahim ◽  
Mariam Taha ◽  
Kerstin Ure ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
...  

Aims The aims of this study were to develop an in vivo model of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in cemented hip hemiarthroplasty, and to monitor infection and biofilm formation in real-time. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats underwent cemented hip hemiarthroplasty via the posterior approach with pre- and postoperative gait assessments. Infection with Staphylococcus aureus Xen36 was monitored with in vivo photoluminescent imaging in real-time. Pre- and postoperative gait analyses were performed and compared. Postmortem micro (m) CT was used to assess implant integration; field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to assess biofilm formation on prosthetic surfaces. Results All animals tolerated surgery well, with preservation of gait mechanics and weightbearing in control individuals. Postoperative in vivo imaging demonstrated predictable evolution of infection with logarithmic signal decay coinciding with abscess formation. Postmortem mCT qualitative volumetric analysis showed high contact area and both cement-bone and cement-implant interdigitation. FE-SEM revealed biofilm formation on the prosthetic head. Conclusion This study demonstrates the utility of a new, high-fidelity model of in vivo PJI using cemented hip hemiarthroplasty in rats. Inoculation with bioluminescent bacteria allows for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of infection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7 Supple B):9–16.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. LPI.S10871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Toren ◽  
Benjamin C. Mora ◽  
Vasundara Venkateswaran

Obesity has been linked to more aggressive characteristics of several cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. Adipose tissue appears to contribute to paracrine interactions in the tumor microenvironment. In particular, cancer-associated adipocytes interact reciprocally with cancer cells and influence cancer progression. Adipokines secreted from adipocytes likely form a key component of the paracrine signaling in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro coculture models allow for the assessment of specific adipokines in this interaction. Furthermore, micronutrients and macronutrients present in the diet may alter the secretion of adipokines from adipocytes. The effect of dietary fat and specific fatty acids on cancer progression in several in vivo model systems and cancer types is reviewed. The more common approaches of caloric restriction or diet-induced obesity in animal models establish that such dietary changes modulate tumor biology. This review seeks to explore available evidence regarding how diet may modulate tumor characteristics through changes in the role of adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 18-18
Author(s):  
Robert Hugh Lee ◽  
Wolfgang Bergmeier

Anti-platelet therapy (APT) is used for secondary prevention of thrombosis. The most commonly prescribed anti-platelet drugs are aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors, including clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor. Dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is often used in the first 1-12 months after an initial thrombotic event and has a greater anti-thrombotic effect than single agents, but is also associated with a higher risk of bleeding. Due to this risk of hemorrhage, the appropriate use of DAPT in patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with baseline or periprocedural thrombocytopenia remains unclear. To study the impact of thrombocytopenia on bleeding with APT, we used intravital imaging in a murine hemostasis model and adoptive platelet transfer to generate mice with specific platelet counts with or without platelet inhibition. To generate experimental mice, we used transgenic mice in which platelets express a chimeric GPIb receptor with the extracellular domain replaced with a domain of the human IL-4R (hIL-4R/GPIb-Tg). Endogenous platelets were depleted by injection of anti-hIL-4R antibody, and the recipient mice were then transfused with wild-type (WT) platelets from donor mice treated, or not, with single or dual APT (aspirin 20 mg/kg; clopidogrel 25 mg/kg) to achieve specific platelet counts ranging from 50,000 to 400,000 platelets/μL. We also compared these mice with WT mice (with normal platelet counts, ~1,200,000 platelets/μL) treated with APT. Platelet inhibition was confirmed prior to performing in vivo experiments. Hemostasis was determined by intravital imaging in our saphenous vein laser injury model, in which a 50 μm injury was induced by laser ablation. Real-time top-down epifluorescence imaging was used to determine time to initial hemostasis, rebleeding events, and platelet and fibrin accumulation. In each mouse, 3-5 injuries were induced at different sites and each injury was visualized for 10 minutes. Following real-time imaging, spinning disk confocal Z-stacks of platelet plugs were obtained for 3D reconstruction to compare platelet plug volume. In untreated WT mice, hemostasis was achieved in ~20 seconds. In WT mice treated with DAPT, initial hemostasis was often rapidly achieved but this was followed by significant rebleeding events. Paradoxically, platelet accumulation was increased in WT + DAPT mice due to extravascular accumulation of platelets which occurred during bleeding. However, in plugs that stabilized, plug volume was reduced in WT + DAPT mice. In hIL-4R/GPIb-Tg mice with reduced platelet counts, untreated platelets were able to form a stable hemostatic plug even at 50,000/μL, although time to hemostasis was slightly prolonged. However, as platelet counts decreased in mice with DAPT-treated platelets, initial hemostasis became more prolonged and many injuries never achieved initial hemostasis. These results suggest that DAPT may not be safe in the setting of severe thrombocytopenia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuj K Yadav ◽  
Michael C. Lee ◽  
Melissa Lucero ◽  
Christopher J. Reinhardt ◽  
ShengZhang Su ◽  
...  

<p>Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in acute and chronic inflammation. NO’s contributions to cancer are of particular interest due to its context-dependent bioactivities. For example, immune cells initially produce cytotoxic quantities of NO in response to the nascent tumor. However, it is believed that this fades over time and reaches a concentration that supports the tumor microenvironment (TME). These complex dynamics are further complicated by other factors, such as diet and oxygenation, making it challenging to establish a complete picture of NO’s impact on tumor progression. Although many activity-based sensing (ABS) probes for NO have been developed, only a small fraction have been employed <i>in vivo </i>and fewer yet are practical in cancer models where the NO concentration is < 200 nM. To overcome this outstanding challenge, we have developed BL<sub>660</sub>-NO, the first ABS probe for NIR bioluminescence imaging of NO in cancer. Owing to the low intrinsic background, high sensitivity, and deep tissue imaging capabilities of our design, BL<sub>660</sub>-NO was successfully employed to visualize endogenous NO in cellular systems, a human liver metastasis model, and a murine breast cancer model. Importantly, its exceptional performance facilitated the design of a dietary study to examine the impact of NO on the TME by varying the intake of fat. BL<sub>660</sub>-NO provides the first direct molecular evidence that intratumoral NO becomes elevated in mice fed a high-fat diet who became obese with larger tumors compared to control animals on a low-fat diet. These results indicate that an inflammatory diet can increase NO production via recruitment of macrophages and overexpression of iNOS which in turn can drive tumor progression.<br></p>


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Li ◽  
Jiang Chang ◽  
Honglin Ren ◽  
Defeng Song ◽  
Jian Guo ◽  
...  

Background Increased CCKBR expression density or frequency has been reported in many neoplasms. Objective We aimed to investigate whether CCKBR drives the growth of gastric cancer (GC) and its potential as a therapeutic target of immunotoxins. Methods A lentiviral interference system was used to generate CCKBR-knockdown gastric cancer cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 and clonogenic assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Wound-healing and cell invasion assays were performed to evaluate cell mobility. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Tumor growth in vivo was investigated using a heterologous tumor transplantation model in nude mice. In addition, we generated the immunotoxin FQ17P and evaluated the combining capacity and tumor cytotoxicity of FQ17P in vitro. Results Stable downregulation of CCKBR expression resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and invasion of BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells. The impact of CCKBR on gastric cancer cells was further verified through CCKBR overexpression studies. Downregulation of CCKBR expression also inhibited the growth of gastric tumors in vivo. Furthermore, FQ17P killed CCKBR-overexpressing GC cells by specifically binding to CCKBR on the tumor cell surface. Conclusion The CCKBR protein drives the growth, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and it might be a promising target for immunotoxin therapy based on its aberrant expression, functional binding interactions with gastrin, and subsequent internalization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huijuan Tang ◽  
Wenjie Huang ◽  
Qiang Yang ◽  
Ying Lin ◽  
Yihui Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The exploration of new therapeutic agents targeting 5-Fu resistance may open a new opportunity to gastric cancer treatment. The objective is to establish a 5-Fu resistant gastric cancer cell line and observe the effect of Jianpi Yangwei decoction (JPYW) on its apoptosis and drug-resistance related proteins. Methods MTT assay was used to measure the effect of JPYW on the BGC823 cells proliferation, and the apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry and Hoechst fluorescence staining. The BGC823 xenograft tumor nude mice models were established, the apoptosis was detected by Tunel method. BGC-823/5-Fu was established by repeated low-dose 5-Fu shocks, the drug resistance index and proliferation were detected by the MTT assay; MDR1 mRNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR; Western blot was used to detect the ratio of p-AKT to AKT; The BGC823/5-Fu xenograft tumor nude mice models were established and apoptosis was measured. The expressions of MRP1, MDR1, ABCG2, AKT, p-AKT, caspase-3 and bcl-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry and the AKT mRNA expression was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Results JPYW induced apoptosis in BGC823 cells; Drug-resistant cell line BGC-823/5-Fu was sucessfully established; JPYW induced apoptosis of BGC823/5-Fu cells, down-regulated the expression of MRP1, MDR1 and ABCG2 in vitro and in vivo, and further decreased MDR1 expression when combined with pathway inhibitor LY294002 (P < 0.05); JPYW down-regulated the ratio of p-AKT to AKT in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, the same as after the combination with LY294002 (P < 0.05). Conclusion JPYW can induce apoptosis of BGC823 and BGC823/5-Fu cells, and down-regulate the expression of MDR1, MRP1, ABCG2 in vitro and in vivo. Its in vitro effect is related to the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.


Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Scherer ◽  
Victoria R. Stephens ◽  
Gavin R. McGivney ◽  
Wade R. Gutierrez ◽  
Emily A. Laverty ◽  
...  

The tumor microenvironment plays important roles in cancer biology, but genetic backgrounds of mouse models can complicate interpretation of tumor phenotypes. A deeper understanding of strain-dependent influences on the tumor microenvironment of genetically-identical tumors is critical to exploring genotype–phenotype relationships, but these interactions can be difficult to identify using traditional Cre/loxP approaches. Here, we use somatic CRISPR/Cas9 tumorigenesis approaches to determine the impact of mouse background on the biology of genetically-identical malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in four commonly-used inbred strains. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically evaluate the impact of host strain on CRISPR/Cas9-generated mouse models. Our data identify multiple strain-dependent phenotypes, including changes in tumor onset and the immune microenvironment. While BALB/c mice develop MPNSTs earlier than other strains, similar tumor onset is observed in C57BL/6, 129X1 and 129/SvJae mice. Indel pattern analysis demonstrates that indel frequency, type and size are similar across all genetic backgrounds. Gene expression and IHC analysis identify multiple strain-dependent differences in CD4+ T cell infiltration and myeloid cell populations, including M2 macrophages and mast cells. These data highlight important strain-specific phenotypes of genomically-matched MPNSTs that have implications for the design of future studies using similar in vivo gene editing approaches.


2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinfu Zhuang ◽  
Yongjian Huang ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Shugang Yang ◽  
Guangwei Zhu ◽  
...  

AbstractThe gene encoding transmembrane protein 100 (TMEM100) was first discovered to be transcribed by the murine genome. It has been recently proven that TMEM100 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). This study investigates the impact of TMEM100 expression on gastric cancer (GC). TMEM100 expression was remarkably downregulated in GC samples compared to the surrounding non-malignant tissues (p < 0.01). Excessive TMEM100 expression prohibited the migration and invasion of GC cells without influencing their growth. However, TMEM100 knockdown restored their migration and invasion potential. Additionally, TMEM100 expression restored the sensitivity of GC cells to chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-fluouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin. In terms of TMEM100 modulation, it was revealed that BMP9 rather than BMP10, is the upstream modulator of TM3M100. HIF1α downregulation modulated the impact of TMEM100 on cell migration, chemotherapy sensitivity and invasion in GC cells. Eventually, the in vivo examination of TMEM100 activity revealed that its upregulation prohibits the pulmonary metastasis of GC cells and increases the sensitivity of xenograft tumors to 5-FU treatment. In conclusion, TMEM100 serves as a tumor suppressor in GC and could be used as a promising target for the treatment of GC and as a predictor of GC clinical outcome.


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