scholarly journals FiloQuant reveals increased filopodia density during breast cancer progression

2017 ◽  
Vol 216 (10) ◽  
pp. 3387-3403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Jacquemet ◽  
Ilkka Paatero ◽  
Alexandre F. Carisey ◽  
Artur Padzik ◽  
Jordan S. Orange ◽  
...  

Defective filopodia formation is linked to pathologies such as cancer, wherein actively protruding filopodia, at the invasive front, accompany cancer cell dissemination. Despite wide biological significance, delineating filopodia function in complex systems remains challenging and is particularly hindered by lack of compatible methods to quantify filopodia properties. Here, we present FiloQuant, a freely available ImageJ plugin, to detect filopodia-like protrusions in both fixed- and live-cell microscopy data. We demonstrate that FiloQuant can extract quantifiable information, including protrusion dynamics, density, and length, from multiple cell types and in a range of microenvironments. In cellular models of breast ductal carcinoma in situ, we reveal a link between filopodia formation at the cell–matrix interface, in collectively invading cells and 3D tumor spheroids, and the in vitro invasive capacity of the carcinoma. Finally, using intravital microscopy, we observe that tumor spheroids display filopodia in vivo, supporting a potential role for these protrusions during tumorigenesis.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Jacquemet ◽  
Ilkka Paatero ◽  
Alexandre F. Carisey ◽  
Artur Padzik ◽  
Jordan S. Orange ◽  
...  

AbstractFilopodia are commonly observed cellular protrusions in vitro and in vivo. Defective filopodia formation is linked to several pathologies including cancer, wherein actively protruding filopodia, at the invasive front, and filopodia-mediated probing of the microenvironment accompanies cancer cell dissemination. Despite wide biological significance, delineating the function of these finger-like protrusions in more complex systems remains technically challenging, particularly hindered by lack of compatible methods to quantify filopodia properties. Here, we present FiloQuant, a freely available ImageJ plugin, to detect filopodia and filopodia-like protrusions in both fixed and live-cell microscopy data. We demonstrate that FiloQuant can extract quantifiable information including protrusion dynamics, density and length from multiple cell types and in a range of microenvironments, such as during collective or single cancer cell migration in 2D and 3D, in fixed neuronal cultures, in activated natural killer cells and in sprouting endothelial cells in vivo. In cellular models of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) we reveal a link between filopodia formation at the cell-matrix interface, during collective invasion and in 3D tumour spheroids, with the previously reported local invasive potential of these breast cancer models in vivo. Finally, using intravital microscopy, we observed that tumour spheroids display prominent filopodia in vivo, supporting a potential role for these protrusions during tumorigenesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingchen Li ◽  
Yuan Cheng ◽  
Zhiqi Wang ◽  
Jingyi Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Jia ◽  
...  

AbstractTransient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a calcium-permeable cation channel that has been associated with several types of cancer. However, its biological significance, as well as its related mechanism in endometrial cancer (EC) still remains elusive. In this study, we examined the function of calcium in EC, with a specific focus on TRPV4 and its downstream pathway. We reported here on the findings that a high level of serum ionized calcium was significantly correlated with advanced EC progression, and among all the calcium channels, TRPV4 played an essential role, with high levels of TRPV4 expression associated with cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo. Proteomic and bioinformatics analysis revealed that TRPV4 was involved in cytoskeleton regulation and Rho protein pathway, which regulated EC cell migration. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that TRPV4 and calcium influx acted on the cytoskeleton via the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway, ending with LIMK/cofilin activation, which had an impact on F-actin and paxillin (PXN) levels. Overall, our findings indicated that ionized serum calcium level was significantly associated with poor outcomes and calcium channel TRPV4 should be targeted to improve therapeutic and preventive strategies in EC.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
Florina Bojin ◽  
Andreea Robu ◽  
Maria Iulia Bejenariu ◽  
Valentin Ordodi ◽  
Emilian Olteanu ◽  
...  

The tumor microenvironment (TME) influences cancer progression. Therefore, engineered TME models are being developed for fundamental research and anti-cancer drug screening. This paper reports the biofabrication of 3D-printed avascular structures that recapitulate several features of the TME. The tumor is represented by a hydrogel droplet uniformly loaded with breast cancer cells (106 cells/mL); it is embedded in the same type of hydrogel containing primary cells—tumor-associated fibroblasts isolated from the peritumoral environment and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hoechst staining of cryosectioned tissue constructs demonstrated that cells remodeled the hydrogel and remained viable for weeks. Histological sections revealed heterotypic aggregates of malignant and peritumoral cells; moreover, the constituent cells proliferated in vitro. To investigate the interactions responsible for the experimentally observed cellular rearrangements, we built lattice models of the bioprinted constructs and simulated their evolution using Metropolis Monte Carlo methods. Although unable to replicate the complexity of the TME, the approach presented here enables the self-assembly and co-culture of several cell types of the TME. Further studies will evaluate whether the bioprinted constructs can evolve in vivo in animal models. If they become connected to the host vasculature, they may turn into a fully organized TME.


2003 ◽  
Vol 178 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Zhou ◽  
D Diehl ◽  
A Hoeflich ◽  
H Lahm ◽  
E Wolf

IGFs have multiple functions regarding cellular growth, survival and differentiation under different physiological and pathological conditions. IGF effects are modulated systemically and locally by six high-affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to -6). Despite their structural similarity, each IGFBP has unique properties and exhibits specific functions. IGFBP-4, the smallest IGFBP, exists in both non-glycosylated and N-glycosylated forms in all biological fluids. It is expressed by a wide range of cell types and tIssues, and its expression is regulated by different mechanisms in a cell type-specific manner. IGFBP-4 binds IGF-I and IGF-II with similar affinities and inhibits their actions under almost all in vitro and in vivo conditions. In this review, we summarize the available data regarding the following aspects of IGFBP-4: genomic organization, protein structure-function relationship, expression and its regulation, as well as IGF-dependent and -independent actions. The biological significance of IGFBP-4 for reproductive physiology, bone formation, renal pathophysiology and cancer is discussed.


Cancers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 366
Author(s):  
Gaëtan Mary ◽  
Brice Malgras ◽  
Jose Efrain Perez ◽  
Irène Nagle ◽  
Nathalie Luciani ◽  
...  

A growing tumor is submitted to ever-evolving mechanical stress. Endoscopic procedures add additional constraints. However, the impact of mechanical forces on cancer progression is still debated. Herein, a set of magnetic methods is proposed to form tumor spheroids and to subject them to remote deformation, mimicking stent-imposed compression. Upon application of a permanent magnet, the magnetic tumor spheroids (formed from colon cancer cells or from glioblastoma cells) are compressed by 50% of their initial diameters. Such significant deformation triggers an increase in the spheroid proliferation for both cell lines, correlated with an increase in the number of proliferating cells toward its center and associated with an overexpression of the matrix metalloproteinase−9 (MMP−9). In vivo peritoneal injection of the spheroids made from colon cancer cells confirmed the increased aggressiveness of the compressed spheroids, with almost a doubling of the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), as compared with non-stimulated spheroids. Moreover, liver metastasis of labeled cells was observed only in animals grafted with stimulated spheroids. Altogether, these results demonstrate that a large compression of tumor spheroids enhances cancer proliferation and metastatic process and could have implications in clinical procedures where tumor compression plays a role.


2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie A Gude ◽  
Fareheh Firouzi ◽  
Kristine Nguyen ◽  
Christina Payne ◽  
Veronica Sacchi ◽  
...  

Background: The biological significance of c-Kit as a marker of cardiac stem cells, and role(s) of c-Kit+ cells in myocardial development or in response to pathologic injury remain unresolved due to varied findings among investigators and experimental model systems. Alternative experimental models and approaches are needed to achieve a broader perspective of cardiac c-Kit biology that contextualizes discrepant published observations. Objectives: Tracking c-Kit expression using transgenesis overcomes limitations inherent to knock-in reporter models. Two novel, inducible transgenic c-Kit reporter models are presented in this study to further elaborate on myocardial c-Kit biology. Methods: A previously characterized mouse c-Kit promoter segment was engineered to generate a transgenic mouse in which rtTA transactivator is expressed in c-Kit+ cells (c-KitrtTA). c-KitrtTA crossed to Tet-Responsive-Element(TRE)-Histone2B-EGFP or TRE-Cre lines produces the CKH2B and CKCre double transgenic lines, which express doxycycline-inducible H2BEGFP or Cre proteins in c-Kit+ cells. The CKmTmG triple transgenic mouse, arising from CKCre crossed to the ROSAmTmG reporter line, utilizes doxycycline induced recombination to tag c-Kit+ cells irreversibly with membrane bound EGFP. Endogenous c-Kit and transgenic reporter expression was assessed in adult cardiac myocyte and nonmyocyte cells from these mice under resting and cellular stress conditions using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Results: Coincidence of c-Kit and EGFP is observed in approximately 75% of freshly isolated nonmyocyte cells as detected by flow cytometry. A subpopulation of cardiomyocytes express H2BEGFP or mEGFP in the uninjured, doxycycline treated adult heart. H2BEGFP and c-Kit expression increase in myocytes in response to isoproterenol-induced pathologic stress in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: These c-Kit transgenic reporter models provide sensitive, specific, inducible and persistent tracking of c-Kit promoter activation. Results presented here reveal an unexpected role for c-Kit expression in adult cardiomyocytes. Future studies will use both models to investigate c-Kit expression in all cell types during cardiac formation and repair.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Pengfei Yu ◽  
Zhongping Duan ◽  
Shuang Liu ◽  
Ivan Pachon ◽  
Jian-Xing Ma ◽  
...  

The kidneys are often involved in adverse effects and toxicity caused by exposure to foreign compounds, chemicals, and drugs. Early predictions of these influences are essential to facilitate new, safe drugs to enter the market. However, in current drug treatments, drug-induced nephrotoxicity accounts for 1/4 of reported serious adverse reactions, and 1/3 of them are attributable to antibiotics. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is driven by multiple mechanisms, including altered glomerular hemodynamics, renal tubular cytotoxicity, inflammation, crystal nephropathy, and thrombotic microangiopathy. Although the functional proteins expressed by renal tubules that mediate drug sensitivity are well known, current in vitro 2D cell models do not faithfully replicate the morphology and intact renal tubule function, and therefore, they do not replicate in vivo nephrotoxicity. The kidney is delicate and complex, consisting of a filter unit and a tubular part, which together contain more than 20 different cell types. The tubular epithelium is highly polarized, and maintaining cellular polarity is essential for the optimal function and response to environmental signals. Cell polarity depends on the communication between cells, including paracrine and autocrine signals, as well as biomechanical and chemotaxis processes. These processes affect kidney cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. For drug disposal research, the microenvironment is essential for predicting toxic reactions. This article reviews the mechanism of drug-induced kidney injury, the types of nephrotoxicity models (in vivo and in vitro models), and the research progress related to drug-induced nephrotoxicity in three-dimensional (3D) cellular culture models.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingguo Huang ◽  
Shintaro Narita ◽  
Takamitsu Inoue ◽  
Norihiko Tsuchiya ◽  
Shigeru Satoh ◽  
...  

Recent studies have indicated that a high-fat diet (HFD) plays an important role in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Palmitic acid (PA) is one of the most abundant saturated free fatty acids (FAs) and is associated with carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the association of dietary fat, including PA, with PCa progression. In four PCa cell lines,in vitroPA administration stimulated the expression of macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC1), which is a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-β family.In vivo, LNCaP xenograft tumor growth, serum MIC1 levels, and FA levels in xenograft tumors were significantly higher in mice receiving an HFD containing high amounts of PA than in those receiving a low-fat diet (LFD). In addition, tumor cells with high MIC1 expression invaded to venules and lymph vessels in the LNCaP xenograft.In vitrostudies showed that proliferation and invasive capacity were significantly higher in PCa cells cultured with serum from HFD-fed mice than in those cultured with the serum from LFD-fed mice. This effect was attenuated by the addition of neutralizing antibodies against MIC1, but not by isotype control antibodies. Clinically, serum MIC1 levels were significantly higher in PCa patients than in healthy controls, and higher levels were associated with higher pathological grade and obesity. In conclusion, our results indicate that an HFD containing PA may promote growth and invasiveness of PCa cells through the upregulation of MIC1 expression.


1971 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Cohen ◽  
Peter A. Ward

When cultured in the presence of specific antigen, lymphocytes from delayed-hypersensitive guinea pigs release a number of biologically active substances into the culture medium. Such active supernatants can react with immune complexes in vitro to generate a factor which is chemotactic for eosinophils. The factor involved is unique, since previously described chemotactic factors for other cell types require for their generation either immune complexes or substances released into lymphocyte culture, but not both. In the case of the eosinophil chemotactic factor, the interaction between the substance elaborated by the lymphocytes and the immune complexes appears to be specific in that the immune complexes must contain the same antigen as that used to activate the lymphocyte cultures. Although this factor was generated in an in vitro system, it has been shown to possess in vivo as well as in vitro activity. It is therefore possible that this factor may be of biological significance in situations where eosinophils are participants in inflammatory or immunologic reactions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (50) ◽  
pp. 15314-15319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Garcia ◽  
Edouard Hannezo ◽  
Jens Elgeti ◽  
Jean-François Joanny ◽  
Pascal Silberzan ◽  
...  

Although collective cell motion plays an important role, for example during wound healing, embryogenesis, or cancer progression, the fundamental rules governing this motion are still not well understood, in particular at high cell density. We study here the motion of human bronchial epithelial cells within a monolayer, over long times. We observe that, as the monolayer ages, the cells slow down monotonously, while the velocity correlation length first increases as the cells slow down but eventually decreases at the slowest motions. By comparing experiments, analytic model, and detailed particle-based simulations, we shed light on this biological amorphous solidification process, demonstrating that the observed dynamics can be explained as a consequence of the combined maturation and strengthening of cell−cell and cell−substrate adhesions. Surprisingly, the increase of cell surface density due to proliferation is only secondary in this process. This analysis is confirmed with two other cell types. The very general relations between the mean cell velocity and velocity correlation lengths, which apply for aggregates of self-propelled particles, as well as motile cells, can possibly be used to discriminate between various parameter changes in vivo, from noninvasive microscopy data.


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