Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Stejskalova, Victoria Fincke, Melissa Nowak, Yvonne Schmidt, Katrin Borrmann, Marie-Kristin von Wahlde, Sebastian D. Schaefer, Ludwig Kiesel, Burkhard Greve, Martin Goette
Summary: This study utilized endometrial spheroids to mimic the architecture of the endometrium and found that stromal spheroids exhibited coordinated directional migration on collagen I, resembling ectopic lesions. The spheroid assay proves to be a useful pre-clinical tool for evaluating potential treatments for endometriosis, including small molecule drugs and microRNA-based therapeutics.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Mathilde Kerherve, Sara Rosinska, Kilian Trillet, Alya Zeinaty, Magalie Feyeux, Steven Nedellec, Julie Gavard
Summary: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare but devastating brain tumor in adults, with current treatments being generally ineffective. This study focused on a population of self-sustaining transformed cells with stem-like properties (GSCs) within GBM, which play a crucial role in tumor initiation, growth, invasion, and recurrence. An ex vivo model was established to explore the invasive behavior of GSCs, and it was found that the glycoprotein Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) contributes to their spreading and invasion. This study proposes a reliable approach to studying invasive properties of patient glioma cells and identifies NRP1 as a mediator in this malignant process.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elina A. Pietilae, Jordi Gonzalez-Molina, Lidia Moyano-Galceran, Sanaz Jamalzadeh, Kaiyang Zhang, Laura Lehtinen, S. Pauliina Turunen, Tomas A. Martins, Okan Gultekin, Tarja Lamminen, Katja Kaipio, Ulrika Joneborg, Johanna Hynninen, Sakari Hietanen, Seija Grenman, Rainer Lehtonen, Sampsa Hautaniemi, Olli Carpen, Joseph W. Carlson, Kaisa Lehti
Summary: The study reveals that platinum chemotherapy enhances resistance by changing cancer cell adhesion signaling and ECM. The heterogeneity of fibrotic ECM in primary tumors and metastatic sites of HGSC before and after chemotherapy provides insights into cancer aggressiveness and potential treatment strategies. The upregulation of COL6 in metastatic HGSCs post-chemotherapy contributes to resistance and relapse, highlighting the importance of targeting the ECM pathway for therapeutic intervention.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Juha Prittinen, Xin Zhou, Fouzia Bano, Ludvig Backman, Patrik Danielson
Summary: This study developed a microstructured collagen film-based culture system that guides corneal stromal cells to their native, layerwise perpendicular orientation in 3D and can support fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. The thin and transparent films allow for observation of cells at least three layers deep, while maintaining cell viability in both 2D and 3D cultures. The films provide an easily reproducible stroma model that preserves the keratocyte phenotype when differentiated to fibroblasts.
CONNECTIVE TISSUE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lavinia Brazdaru, Teodora Staicu, Madalina Georgiana Albu Kaya, Ciprian Chelaru, Corneliu Ghica, Viorel Circu, Minodora Leca, Mihaela Violeta Ghica, Marin Micutz
Summary: The treatment of wounds requires appropriate dressings to ensure tissue regeneration and prevent bacterial infections. In this study, we designed an algorithm to monitor and analyze the release of antimicrobial agents from collagen-based matrices. By controlling the crosslinking degree and loading content, a tunable and sustainable release profile can be achieved.
Article
Immunology
Renping Zhao, Xiangda Zhou, Essak S. Khan, Dalia Alansary, Kim S. Friedmann, Wenjuan Yang, Eva C. Schwarz, Aranzazu del Campo, Markus Hoth, Bin Qu
Summary: The research found that the killing efficiency of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is significantly impaired in dense collagen matrices, while disrupting the microtubule network can significantly increase CTL migration, search efficiency, and killing efficiency in dense collagen.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pan Zhang, Linmu Xu, Jingsong Gao, Guangkui Xu, Yanping Song, Guang Li, Jingjing Ren, Yunjie Zhang, Cheng Yang, Yu Zhang, Ruiheng Xie, Nu Zhang, Hui Yang
Summary: This study investigates the behaviors of hematopoietic progenitor cells using collagen hydrogels of different stiffness and characterizes their transcriptional profiles through single-cell RNA sequencing. The results demonstrate that 3D collagen hydrogels promote the differentiation of progenitor cells into macrophages and enhance communication with other hematopoietic clusters.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Stephanie D. Burr, James A. Stewart
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is a common complication of diabetes, where cardiac fibroblasts can transition into myofibroblasts due to increased levels of AGEs triggered by RAGE signaling. Research has shown that Rap1a plays a crucial role in mediating the response of cardiac fibroblasts to AGEs within diabetic collagen, leading to increased myofibroblast population and ROS production, ultimately affecting cellular function.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Judith Pape, Mark Emberton, Umber Cheema
Summary: The use of tissue-engineered 3D models of cancer has become more popular in cancer research. This review explores different 3D models, outlining their benefits, limitations, and methods for measuring cancer invasion and growth. Tumoroids were found to be comparable 3D cancer models with a high degree of biomimicry.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kannoth Madappurakkal Ahina, Kiruba Kannan, Vinu Vijayan, Sreelekshmi Sreekumar, Rachita Lakra, Manikantan Syamala Kiran
Summary: This study focuses on the self-assembly of collagen fibrils with Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) and its potential applications in tissue regeneration. The results showed that the self-assembly of collagen with GQD leads to increased thermal stability and tensile strength. The GQDs self-assembled collagen bio-matrices exhibit a 3D surface topology resembling the extracellular matrix. Additionally, the GQDs self-assembled collagen bio-matrices showed no toxicity in fibroblast cells and demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility, including increased cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration. Furthermore, the GQD self-assembled collagen promoted blood vessel formation. This study paves the way for the use of zero-dimensional graphene-based 3-dimensional self-assembled collagen bio-matrices in soft tissue regeneration.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Andrew D. Doyle, Daniel J. Sykora, Gustavo G. Pacheco, Matthew L. Kutys, Kenneth M. Yamada
Summary: The study reveals that fibroblasts and mesenchymal cancer cells utilize a cellular contractile mechanism to migrate in 3D collagen gels, with varying 3D migration cycles between cell types. It is essential for efficient directional cell migration to maintain prestrain and anterior contractions, which require myosin IIA. Epithelial cancer and endothelial cells show little sustained prestrain or anterior contractions, suggesting a different mechanism for migration.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Ayca Tan, Toros Taskin
Summary: In this study, it was found that tumor budding is a significant histopathological marker for predicting prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinomas. The controversy surrounding the utility of histological grading in oral squamous cell carcinoma highlights the need for new histopathological parameters. The evaluation of worst invasion pattern and tumor budding as prognostic parameters in OSCC provides important insights for clinical practice.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sang-Yun Lee, Hyun Ju Hwang, Dong Woo Lee
Summary: Various three-dimensional cell culture methods have been developed to create tumor models similar to in vivo. This study optimized the production of 3D-aggregated spheroid models and successfully applied immunofluorescence staining and imaging analysis. Compared to conventional 2D high throughput screening, the 3D-HTS method provides a more comprehensive analysis of drug efficacy and enables selective analysis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Bauer L. LeSavage, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: An immune cell population enriched in inflamed gut tissue is found to drive CD44(+) intestinal organoid proliferation, while also regulating extracellular matrix deposition and remodelling in a synthetic hydrogel platform.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serena De Santis, Francesco Porcelli, Giovanni Sotgiu, Anna Crescenzi, Anita Ceccucci, Martina Verri, Marco Caricato, Chiara Taffon, Monica Orsini
Summary: Research has shown that in the genesis and progression of colon cancer, there is strong remodeling of collagen fibers in the tumor stroma, creating a microenvironment that supports cancer development. Micro-FTIR spectroscopy, focusing on collagen signals, can provide valuable chemical evidence for distinguishing malignant and normal stroma. This technique shows promise as a tool for colon cancer diagnosis.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Joshua A. Welsh, Edwin Van Der Pol, Ger J. A. Arkesteijn, Michel Bremer, Alain Brisson, Frank Coumans, Francoise Dignat-George, Erika Duggan, Ionita Ghiran, Bernd Giebel, Andre Goergens, An Hendrix, Romaric Lacroix, Joanne Lanniga, Sten F. W. M. Libregtse, Estefania Lozano-Andres, Aizea Morales-Kastresana, Stephane Robert, Leonie De Rond, Tobias Tertel, John Tigges, Olivier De Wever, Xiaomei Yan, Rienk Nieuwland, Marca H. M. Wauben, John P. Nolan, Jennifer C. Jones
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elien De Thaye, Koen Van de Vijver, Joni Van der Meulen, Joachim Taminau, Glenn Wagemans, Hannelore Denys, Jo Van Dorpe, Geert Berx, Wim Ceelen, Jan Van Bocxlaer, Olivier De Wever
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Jan Van Deun, Quentin Roux, Sarah Deville, Thibaut Van Acker, Pekka Rappu, Ilkka Miinalainen, Jyrki Heino, Frank Vanhaecke, Bruno G. De Geest, Olivier De Wever, An Hendrix
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Flavia Castro, Marta L. Pinto, Catarina L. Pereira, Karine Serre, Mario A. Barbosa, Karim Vermaelen, Fatima Gartner, Raquel M. Goncalves, Olivier De Wever, Maria J. Oliveira
Review
Oncology
Jonas Steenbrugge, Emiel A. De Jaeghere, Evelyne Meyer, Hannelore Denys, Olivier De Wever
Summary: Tumor-derived secretory factors influence splenic hematopoietic and stromal cells to promote tumor metastasis. While animal models provide valuable insights, translating these findings to clinical practice poses specific challenges.
Article
Oncology
Philippe Giron, Carolien Eggermont, Amir Noeparast, Hugo Vandenplas, Erik Teugels, Ramses Forsyth, Olivier De Wever, Pedro Aza-Blanc, Gustavo J. Gutierrez, Jacques De Greve
Summary: The study identifies USP13 as a protein that can increase the sensitivity of lung cancer cells with EGFR mutations to targeted therapy, potentially improving treatment efficacy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ivones Hernandez-Balmaseda, Idania Rodeiro Guerra, Ken Declerck, Jose Alfredo Herrera Isidron, Claudina Perez-Novo, Guy Van Camp, Olivier De Wever, Kethia Gonzalez, Mayrel Labrada, Adriana Carr, Geovanni Dantas-Cassali, Diego Carlos dos Reis, Livan Delgado-Roche, Roberto Rafael Nunez, Rene Delgado-Hernandez, Miguel David Fernandez, Miriam T. Paz-Lopes, Wim Vanden Berghe
Summary: In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the antitumor effects of TTE on colon tumor cell lines and a murine colorectal cancer model, including suppression of cell growth, migration, and angiogenesis, as well as promotion of antitumor immunogenic cell death. Transcription profiling and pathway analysis revealed that TTE triggers specific gene expression and autophagy stress pathways, leading to its antitumor effects.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Edward Geeurickx, Lien Lippens, Pekka Rappu, Bruno G. De Geest, Olivier De Wever, An Hendrix
Summary: This study presents a protocol for using recombinant EV as a biological reference material to evaluate EV application performance, map technical variability, and promote inter-laboratory studies, which can be completed in about 4-5 days.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valerie De Meulenaere, Benedicte Descamps, Olivier De Wever, Christian Vanhove, Karel Deblaere
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily De Lombaerde, Olivier De Wever, Bruno G. De Geest
Summary: Direct intratumoral injection allows for local immune activation, leading to decreased systemic toxicity, improved efficacy, and abscopal effects. The approval of the first intratumoral oncolytic virotherapy, talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), has sparked interest in studying other immunotherapeutic approaches.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Ana Rita Pombo Antunes, Isabelle Scheyltjens, Francesca Lodi, Julie Messiaen, Asier Antoranz, Johnny Duerinck, Daliya Kancheva, Liesbet Martens, Karen De Vlaminck, Hannah Van Hove, Signe Schmidt Kjolner Hansen, Francesca Maria Bosisio, Koen Van der Borght, Steven De Vleeschouwer, Raf Sciot, Luc Bouwens, Michiel Verfaillie, Niels Vandamme, Roosmarijn E. Vandenbroucke, Olivier De Wever, Yvan Saeys, Martin Guilliams, Conny Gysemans, Bart Neyns, Frederik De Smet, Diether Lambrechts, Jo A. Van Ginderachter, Kiavash Movahedi
Summary: By utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and CITE-seq, this study reveals the complexity of the immune landscape in glioblastomas, including conserved populations of dendritic cells and macrophages. The results indicate that microglia-derived tumor-associated macrophages dominate in newly diagnosed tumors, but are replaced by monocyte-derived TAMs in recurrences.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catalina Lodillinsky, Laetitia Fuhrmann, Marie Irondelle, Olena Pylypenko, Xiao-Yan Li, Helene Bonsang-Kitzis, Fabien Reyal, Sophie Vacher, Claire Calmel, Olivier De Wever, Ivan Bieche, Marie-Lise Lacombe, Ana Maria Eijan, Anne Houdusse, Anne Vincent-Salomon, Stephen J. Weiss, Philippe Chavrier, Mathieu Boissan
Summary: The study reveals that NME1 plays a crucial role in the in situ-to-invasive transition of breast cancer, showing a negative correlation with MT1-MMP and impacting the invasive potential of breast cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yentl Van Rymenant, Muhammet Tanc, Roos Van Elzen, An Bracke, Olivier De Wever, Koen Augustyns, Anne-Marie Lambeir, Mark Kockx, Ingrid De Meester, Pieter Van Der Veken
Summary: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a proline-selective protease highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment, and selective activity-based probes have been developed to detect FAP with subnanomolar affinity and selectivity. These probes are suitable for biological studies and have been tested for in situ FAP activity staining in patient-derived cryosections of urothelial tumors.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jonas Steenbrugge, Niels Vander Elst, Kristel Demeyere, Olivier De Wever, Niek N. Sanders, Wim van den Broeck, Eric Ciamporcero, Timothy Perera, Evelyne Meyer
Summary: c-MET plays a crucial role in cancer progression, and OMO-1, a potent c-MET inhibitor, shows promising therapeutic efficacy in TNBC. OMO-1 not only reduces tumor progression dose dependently but also enhances the effects of cisplatin, providing potential benefits for TNBC patients, even in cases of non-c-MET addicted tumors.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Aranit Harizaj, Benedicte Descamps, Christophe Mangodt, Stephan Stremersch, Arianna Stoppa, Lieve Balcaen, Toon Brans, Hilde De Rooster, Nausikaa Devriendt, Juan C. Fraire, Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez, Olivier De Wever, Wouter Willaert, Frank Vanhaecke, Christian V. Stevens, Stefaan C. De Smedt, Bart Roman, Christian Vanhove, Ine Lentacker, Kevin Braeckmans
Summary: Longitudinal in vivo monitoring of transplanted cells is crucial for cancer research and treatment assessment. MRI offers high spatial resolution and soft-tissue contrast, but suffers from low sensitivity, requiring high concentrations of contrast agents. Photoporation provides an attractive alternative for efficient delivery of contrast agents into the cytosol, avoiding the quenching effect and improving MR signal intensity.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)