MB è sostenuto da sovvenzioni da una borsa di studio MRC. KP e AHM sono supportati da finanziamenti provenienti dal Wessex Medical Research e Cancer Research UK / RCS (Inghilterra) (C28503/A10013). Siamo grati per il sostegno dell&#39;Università di Southampton Histochemistry Unità di Ricerca.

1. Istituzione di primaria fibroblasti culture da colon espianti <ol><li> Ottenere campioni di tessuto normale del colon umano mucosa direttamente dalla sala operatoria chirurgica, e sospendere in 7-10 ml di PBS completato con 100 unità / ml di penicillina, 100 pg / ml streptomicina, e 0,25 mg / ml Fungizone. </li><li> In laboratorio, porre il campione al centro di 10 cm piatto di coltura tissutale e lavare 3 volte con PBS / Pen-strep / Fungizone. Non aspirare dopo il lavaggio finale. </li><li> Con pinze sterili e bisturi, tagliare il tessuto in piccoli pezzi (circa 2 mm) e posizionare ogni pezzo al centro di una croce disegnata con il bisturi in un 12-pozzetti. Rock the bisturi dolcemente sul tessuto per permettergli di aderire. </li><li> Cultura esemplari in 750 microlitri mezzi di crescita dei fibroblasti primari (DMEM integrato con siero del 20% di vitello fetale (FCS), 100 U / ml di penicillina, 100 mg / ml di streptomicina e 292 mg / ml L-glutammina), che dovrebbe submerge tessuto senza consenta di galleggiare. Evitare di disturbare la piastra per i prossimi 5 giorni se non per ri-alimentazione ogni 2 giorni. </li><li> Nel corso dei prossimi 5 giorni fibroblasti lentamente inizia a crescere fuori dal bordo del tessuto. A circa 7 giorni, questo sarà più visibile. Dopo circa 3-4 settimane, e se ci sono sufficienti fibroblasti crescita fuori, aggiungere 750 microlitri tripsina a ciascun pozzetto. Dopo che le cellule hanno staccato (che può richiedere 5-10 min), la piscina e il trasferimento di un tessuto pallone di T-25 cultura. </li></ol> 2. Organotipica Preparazione Preparazione del fibroblasto impregnato gel organotipico: <ol><li> Preparare una sospensione cellulare di fibroblasti contenente 5 x 10 5 cellule per organotipico in DMEM supplementato con 10% FCS e 292 ug / ml di L-glutammina. </li><li> Portare i gel organotipica sul ghiaccio, nei seguenti rapporti: <ul><li> 7 volumi di collagene Rat-coda: Matrigel mix (1:1) </li><li> 1 volume di filtrato 10x DMEM </li><li> 1 volume di FCS </li><li> 1 volume di sospensione cellulare di fibroblasti contenente 5 x 10 5 fibroblasti Per 9 gel (1 ml per gel) preparare 10 ml e mescolare delicatamente per evitare le bolle. </li></ul></li><li> Aggiungere 1 ml a ciascun pozzetto di una piastra da 24 pozzetti e incubare per 1 ora a 37 ° C in atmosfera umidificata per consentire gel per impostare. Dopo 1 ora aggiungere 1 ml di DMEM (10% FCS) / Glut sopra i gel e tornare alla incubatore notte. </li><li> Il giorno seguente, medio aspirato dalla parte superiore dei gel e piastra 1 ml di supporto contenente 5 x 10 5 cellule epiteliali CRC. </li></ol> Preparazione del gel spalmato fogli di nylon: <ol start="5"><li> Preparare sterile, teli di nylon in autoclave misura 1,5 centimetri x 1,5 centimetri, in anticipo. </li><li> Utilizzando pinze sterili, inserire il numero di fogli di nylon in una capsula di Petri 10 centimetri (di solito 4 fogli di nylon possono essere ospitati a piatto). </li><li> Portare gel su ghiaccio nel seguente ordine (250 microlitri totaleè necessaria volume per foglio di nylon): <ul><li> 7 volumi di collagene Rat-coda </li><li> 1 volume di filtrato 10x DMEM </li><li> 1 volume di FCS </li><li> 1 volume di DMEM 10% FCS / Glut </li></ul></li><li> Se la soluzione è gialla, neutralizzare con l&#39;aggiunta di 0,1 M NaOH in aliquote di 50 microlitri finché la soluzione diventa rosa. </li><li> Aggiungere 250 ml di questa soluzione a ciascun foglio di nylon e incubare a 37 ° C in atmosfera umidificata al 5% CO 2 per 30 min per permettere gel per impostare. </li><li> Portare soluzione di glutaraldeide 1% in PBS. Aggiungere 10 ml di ciascuna capsula di Petri 10 centimetri una volta che il gel ha impostato e incubare a 4 ° C per 1 ora. </li><li> Fogli di nylon Lavare 3x in PBS 1x e in DMEM (10% FCS) / Glu e incubare una notte in DMEM / Glu a 4 ° C. </li></ol> Alzando gel organotipica su griglie in acciaio per l&#39;invasione: <ol start="12"><li> Pre-preparare le griglie ponteggio mediante piegatura lamiere di acciaio inox in una formazione treppiede. Autoclave prima dell&#39;uso.</li><li> Utilizzare pinze sterilizzate in etanolo da mettere una griglia in acciaio in ciascun pozzetto di una piastra ben sei. </li><li> Collocare un foglio di nylon gel-rivestito con il lato superiore collagene, su ogni griglia. </li><li> Trasferire accuratamente i gel organotipici dalla piastra a 24 pozzetti per il foglio di nylon sollevata con una spatola sterilizzato in etanolo. </li><li> Riempire il pozzetto con DMEM 10% FCS / Glut supplementato con 10% FCS fino foglio di nylon è in contatto con il mezzo ma non sommersa. Assicurarsi che il mezzo non tocchi il gel organotipica. </li><li> Incubare per 14 giorni a 37 ° C in atmosfera umidificata al 5% CO 2, sostituirà supporti ogni 2 giorni. </li></ol> 3. Organotipica Fixation <ol><li> Rimuovere tutta organotipica compreso foglio di nylon da bene e mettere su pellicola trasparente. </li><li> Bisecare organotipica e foglio di nylon con un bisturi monouso pulito e fissare le due metà in formaldeide per 24 ore a temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Sostituire formaldeide con il 70% ethanolo dopo 24 ore e lasciare per una notte prima di incorporare in paraffina, sezionamento e colorazione. </li></ol> 4. Microdissezione laser del Margine invasiva <ol><li> Sezione di 10 pm di spessore su una membrana diapositive intelaiate. </li><li> Deparaffinare sezioni applicando xilene per 1 minuto, poi togliere xilene e fissare nel 75% di etanolo per un ulteriore 1 min. </li><li> Rimuovere etanolo e macchia con 0,125% soluzione Cresyl Violet per 1 min. Cresyl Violet evidenzia le cellule epiteliali e consente una facile discriminazione dallo stroma. </li><li> Rimuovere violetto cresolo e applicare il 100% di etanolo per circa 1 minuto prima del risciacquo con etanolo al 100%. Lasciare i vetrini asciugare all&#39;aria per 30 min. </li><li> Condurre microdissezione laser con piattaforma scelta (ad esempio il sistema Leica AS). </li><li> Posizionare il vetrino con la sezione macchiata da microdissezione a faccia in giù sul palco microscopio. </li><li> Montare una provetta da 0,5 ml microcentrifuga nel cassetto di raccolta ed aggiungere 50 ml ditampone di lisi cellulare (ad esempio DNA, RNA o proteina tampone di lisi) al cappuccio in cui il tessuto microdissezione raccoglierà. </li><li> Sotto visione diretta, utilizzare il joystick per identificare tessuto di interesse, e utilizzando l&#39;interfaccia software, annotare la sezione organica macchiato, mettendo in evidenza le cellule da microdissezione al fronte invasione tumorale. </li><li> Istruire il laser al fuoco, che dovrebbero entrambe tagliare la sezione evidenziata e spingere il tessuto microdissezione nel tappo della provetta. </li><li> Una quantità sufficiente di materiale è stato raccolto, estrarre la cassetta di raccolta, chiudere la provetta e centrifugare delicatamente per disegnare il tampone di lisi al fondo della provetta. </li><li> Mettere i campioni in ghiaccio fino microdissezione è completa. Campioni di processo tramite un metodo adeguato per estrarre l&#39;analita di interesse. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Nystrom, M. L., Thomas, G. J., Stone, M., Mackenzie, I. C., Hart, I. R., Marshall, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+a+quantitative+method+to+analyse+tumour+cell+invasion+in+organotypic+culture.">Development of a quantitative method to analyse tumour cell invasion in organotypic culture.</a> J Pathol. 205 (4), 468-475 (2005).</li><li>Zhang, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=miR-153+supports+colorectal+cancer+progression+via+pleiotropic+effects+that+enhance+invasion+and+chemotherapeutic+resistance.">miR-153 supports colorectal cancer progression via pleiotropic effects that enhance invasion and chemotherapeutic resistance.</a> Cancer Res. , (2013).</li><li>Bullock, M. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pleiotropic+actions+of+miR-21+highlight+the+critical+role+of+deregulated+stromal+microRNAs+during+colorectal+cancer+progression.">Pleiotropic actions of miR-21 highlight the critical role of deregulated stromal microRNAs during colorectal cancer progression.</a> Cell Death Dis. 20 (4), (2013).</li><li>Jenei, V., Nystrom, M. L., Thomas, G. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+invasion+in+an+organotypic+model.">Measuring invasion in an organotypic model.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 769, 223-232 (2011).</li><li>De Wever, O., Demetter, P., Mareel, M., Bracke, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stromal+myofibroblasts+are+drivers+of+invasive+cancer+growth.">Stromal myofibroblasts are drivers of invasive cancer growth.</a> Int J Cancer. 123 (10), 2229-2238 (2008).</li><li>Fries, K. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+of+fibroblast+heterogeneity+and+the+role+of+fibroblast+subpopulations+in+fibrosis.">Evidence of fibroblast heterogeneity and the role of fibroblast subpopulations in fibrosis.</a> Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 72 (3), 283-292 (1994).</li><li>Moutasim, K. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Betel-derived+alkaloid+up-regulates+keratinocyte+alphavbeta6+integrin+expression+and+promotes+oral+submucous+fibrosis.">Betel-derived alkaloid up-regulates keratinocyte alphavbeta6 integrin expression and promotes oral submucous fibrosis.</a> J Pathol. 223 (3), 366-377 (2011).</li><li>Winter, J., Jung, S., Keller, S., Gregory, R. I., Diederichs, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Many+roads+to+maturity:+microRNA+biogenesis+pathways+and+their+regulation.">Many roads to maturity: microRNA biogenesis pathways and their regulation.</a> Nat Cell Biol. 11 (3), 228-234 (2009).</li><li>Li, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+miRNA+expression+patterns+using+total+RNA+extracted+from+matched+samples+of+formalin-fixed+paraffin-embedded+(FFPE)+cells+and+snap+frozen+cells.">Comparison of miRNA expression patterns using total RNA extracted from matched samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cells and snap frozen cells.</a> BMC Biotechnol. 7 (36), (2007).</li><li>Szafranska, A. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accurate+molecular+characterization+of+formalin-fixed,+paraffin-embedded+tissues+by+microRNA+expression+profiling.">Accurate molecular characterization of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues by microRNA expression profiling.</a> J Mol Diagn. 10 (5), 415-423 (2008).</li></ol>

Gli autori evidenziano alcun potenziale conflitto di interesse.

Qui si descrive un metodo per isolare e caratterizzare specificamente le cellule tumorali che hanno acquisito la capacità di invadere il cancro stroma associato durante le prime fasi della progressione metastatica in un 3-dimensionale di co-coltura costrutto delle cellule epiteliali e stromali. Modelli di co-coltura costituiti da cellule epiteliali CRC giustapposti con una stroma sintetico contenente ex vivo fibroblasti umano del colon sono stati usati per studiare CRC invasione in...

Co-colture organotipiche sono modelli tissutale che aiutano a ricostruire in vivo microambiente tumorale in 3-dimensioni per giustapposizione di cellule epiteliali maligne e cellule stromali in un gel di collagene contenente componenti essenziali della matrice extracellulare 1-3. Principalmente concepito come un metodo per misurare invasione tumorale, organotypics ridurre la dipendenza da modelli animali in vivo, ed evitare le lacune di altre tecniche in vitro come saggi Transwell, in cui le cellule invasori sono costretti artificialmente in uno stato mono-disperso 2-4. L&#39;inclusione di cellule stromali in questi modelli, quali fibroblasti, riflette il ruolo essenziale del microambiente tumorale maligna nella regolazione invasione e metastasi 3-4, tuttavia l&#39;eterogeneità fenotipica dello stroma è tale che, al fine di massimizzare la rilevanza fisiologica di organotipico modelli, organo specifico, anatomicamente accurati ex vivofibroblasti dovrebbero essere inclusi ove possibile 3,6. Organotypics sono una piattaforma versatile per studiare le interazioni tra tumore e le cellule stromali e sono sempre più utilizzati in nuovi modi per esaminare l&#39;impatto sulla invasione tumorale di inibitori chimici e le alterazioni geniche mirate 7,8. Studiare il margine di tumore invasivo è una prospettiva particolarmente emozionante. In modelli organotipici, cancro colorettale fissato (CRC) linee cellulari producono tipicamente uno strato epiteliale ben stratificato, in sezione trasversale, le cellule che hanno acquisito la capacità di invadere la matrice extracellulare (ECM) sono facilmente distinguibili. Alla luce della eterogeneità micro-topografica consolidata di tumore e tumore associato cellule stromali in vivo, estrazione di queste cellule mediante microdissezione laser e studiare isolatamente, può rivelare importanti informazioni biologiche riguardanti le origini del colon-retto metastasi del cancro e come può essere più efficiente mirato. Ion la seguente metodologia, tutti i pazienti che hanno donato campioni di tessuto fornite per iscritto il consenso informato, e lo studio è stato approvato dalle istituzioni del comitato etico di ricerca regionali.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="634">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Colorectal cancer cell lines - example shown SW480</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">ATCC</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">ATCC CCL-228</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Collagen</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">354265</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Matrigel</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">354234</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Nylon membrane</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">Merck Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">VVLP01300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Metal grid</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">The Mesh Company</td>
			<td>WSS20-A4</td>
			<td>themeshcompany.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Laser microdissection platform</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">Leica Microsystems</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Leica AS LMD</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Membrane mounted slides</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">Molecular devices</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Cresyl Violet</td>
			<td style="width:132px;">Merck Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1052350025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

molecular profiling of the invasive tumor microenvironment in a 3-dimensional model of colorectal cancer cells and ex vivo fibroblasts

Invadere il cancro colorettale (CRC), le cellule hanno acquisito la capacità di liberarsi dalle loro celle sorelle, infiltrare lo stroma, e rimodellare la matrice extracellulare (ECM). Caratterizzare la biologia di questo gruppo fenotipicamente distinto di cellule potrebbe migliorare notevolmente la nostra comprensione di eventi precoci durante la cascata metastatica. Invasione tumorale è un processo dinamico facilitato dalle interazioni bidirezionali tra epitelio maligno e lo stroma cancro associato. Al fine di esaminare le risposte specifiche cellule al stroma-interfaccia tumore abbiamo combinato organotipica co-coltura e laser tecniche di micro-dissezione. Modelli organotipica, in cui componenti stromali chiave come i fibroblasti sono 3 dimentioanally co-coltura con cellule epiteliali tumorali, sono strumenti sperimentali altamente manipolabile che consentono l&#39;invasione e le interazioni tumore-stroma da studiare in near-phcondizioni ysiological. Laser microdissezione (LMD) è una tecnica che comporta la dissezione chirurgica ed estrazione dei vari strati all&#39;interno del tessuto tumorale, con precisione di micron. Combinando queste tecniche con la genomica, trascrittomica e epigenetica profiling puntiamo a sviluppare una comprensione più profonda delle caratteristiche molecolari di invadere le cellule tumorali e circostante tessuto stromale, e in tal modo potenzialmente rivelare nuovi biomarcatori e opportunità per lo sviluppo di farmaci in CRC.

Abbiamo applicato il metodo di cui sopra per più combinazioni di linee cellulari e cellule stromali CRC. Un esempio qui presentato è linee cellulari epiteliali SW480 CRC con ex vivo fibroblasti umani primari del colon. Co-colture 3-dimensionali sono costruiti (Figura 1), sottoposto alla microscopia e cattura microdissezione laser (Figura 2), e analizzati mediante microRNA (miRNA) profiling (Figura 3) per il confronto dei miRNA differenzialmente espressi tra c...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts at JoVE.com

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts

Profiling molecolare delle cellule laser microdissezione e da stroma, modelli di cancro colorettale tissutale sintesi rappresenta un approccio nuovo e manipolabile per caratterizzare e sezionare la biologia distintivo all&#39;interfaccia tra cellule tumorali al fronte invasivo e cancro associato cellule stromali.

Molecular Profiling del microambiente tumorale invasiva in un modello 3-Dimensional delle cellule del cancro colorettale e<em&gt; Ex vivo</em&gt; fibroblasti

Invading colorectal cancer (CRC) cells have acquired the capacity to break free from their sister cells, infiltrate the stroma, and remodel the ...

molecular-profiling-invasive-tumor-microenvironment-3-dimensional

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts

11.0K Views.  University of Southampton School of Medicine.  Profiling molecolare delle cellule laser microdissezione e da stroma, modelli di cancro colorettale tissutale sintesi rappresenta un approccio nuovo e manipolabile per caratterizzare e sezionare la biologia distintivo all'interfaccia tra cellule tumorali al fronte invasivo e cancro associato cellule stromali. 

Video: Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts

In vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia Dynamics of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis in a Mouse Model

It is well recognized that tumor hypoxia plays an important role in promoting malignant progression and affecting therapeutic response negatively. There is little knowledge about in situ, in vivo, tumor hypoxia during intracranial development of malignant brain tumors because of lack of efficient means to monitor it in these deep-seated orthotopic tumors. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI), based on the detection of light emitted by living cells expressing a luciferase gene, has been rapidly adopted for cancer research, in particular, to evaluate tumor growth or tumor size changes in response to treatment in preclinical animal studies. Moreover, by expressing a reporter gene under the control of a promoter sequence, the specific gene expression can be monitored non-invasively by BLI. Under hypoxic stress, signaling responses are mediated mainly via the hypoxia inducible factor-1&alpha; (HIF-1&alpha;) to drive transcription of various genes. Therefore, we have used a HIF-1&alpha; reporter construct, 5HRE-ODD-luc, stably transfected into human breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells (MDA-MB231/5HRE-ODD-luc). In vitro HIF-1&alpha; bioluminescence assay is performed by incubating the transfected cells in a hypoxic chamber (0.1% O2) for 24 hr before BLI, while the cells in normoxia (21% O2) serve as a control. Significantly higher photon flux observed for the cells under hypoxia suggests an increased HIF-1&alpha; binding to its promoter (HRE elements), as compared to those in normoxia. Cells are injected directly into the mouse brain to establish a breast cancer brain metastasis model. In vivo bioluminescence imaging of tumor hypoxia dynamics is initiated 2 wks after implantation and repeated once a week. BLI reveals increasing light signals from the brain as the tumor progresses, indicating increased intracranial tumor hypoxia. Histological and immunohistochemical studies are used to confirm the in vivo imaging results. Here, we will introduce approaches of in vitro HIF-1&alpha; bioluminescence assay, surgical establishment of a breast cancer brain metastasis in a nude mouse and application of in vivo bioluminescence imaging to monitor intracranial tumor hypoxia.

In vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia Dynamics of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis in a Mouse Model

Bioluminescence imaging of hypoxia inducible factor-1&alpha; activity is applied to monitor intracranial tumor hypoxia development in a breast cancer brain metastasis mouse model.

In Imaging bioluminescenza in vivo di Dinamica Tumore ipossia di metastasi cerebrali cancro al seno in un modello murino

It is well recognized that tumor hypoxia plays an important role in promoting malignant progression and affecting therapeutic response negatively. There ...

Ricerca

Medicina

Modeling and Imaging 3-Dimensional Collective Cell Invasion

A defining characteristic of cancer malignancy is invasion and metastasis 1. In some cancers (e.g. glioma 2), local invasion into surrounding healthy tissue is the root cause of disease and death. For other cancers (e.g. breast, lung, etc.), it is the process of metastasis, in which tumor cells move from a primary tumor mass, colonize distal sites and ultimately contribute to organ failure, that eventually leads to morbidity and mortality 3. It has been estimated that invasion and metastasis are responsible for 90&#37; of cancer deaths 4. As a result, there has been intense interest in identifying the molecular processes and critical protein mediators of invasion and metastasis for the purposes of improving diagnosis and treatment 5.
A challenge for cancer scientists is to develop invasion assays that sufficiently resemble the in vivo situation to enable accurate disease modeling 6. Two-dimensional cell motility assays are only informative about one aspect of invasion and do not take into account extracellular matrix (ECM) protein remodeling which is also a critical element. Recently, research has refined our understanding of tumor cell invasion and revealed that individual cells may move by elongated or rounded modes 7. In addition, there has been greater appreciation of the contribution of collective invasion, in which cells invade in strands, sheets and clusters, particularly in highly differentiated tumors that maintain epithelial characteristics, to the spread of cancer 8.
We present a refined method 9 for examining the contributions of candidate proteins to collective invasion 10. In particular, by engineering separate pools of cells to express different fluorescent proteins, it is possible to molecularly dissect the activities and proteins required in leading cells versus those required in following cells. The use of RNAi provides the molecular tool to experimentally disassemble the processes involved in individual cell invasion as well as in different positions of collective invasion. In this procedure, mixtures of fluorescently-labeled cells are plated on the bottom of a Transwell insert previously filled with Matrigel ECM protein, then allowed to invade "upwards" through the filter and into the Matrigel. Reconstruction of z-series image stacks, obtained by confocal imaging, into three-dimensional representations allows for visualization of collectively invading strands and analysis of the representation of fluorescently-labeled cells in leading versus following positions.

Models of tumor cell invasion into three-dimensional extracellular matrix better reflect the in vivo situation than two-dimensional motility assays. Using matrix invasion assays combined with confocal imaging of fluorescently-labeled cells, detailed information on invasion modes and the distinct contributions of leading versus following cells can be obtained.

Modellazione e imaging 3-Dimensional Invasion cella Collettiva

A defining characteristic of cancer malignancy is invasion and metastasis 1. In some cancers (e.g. glioma 2), local invasion into surrounding healthy ...

Screening for Melanoma Modifiers using a Zebrafish Autochthonous Tumor Model

Genomic studies of human cancers have yielded a wealth of information about genes that are altered in tumors1,2,3. A challenge arising from these studies is that many genes are altered, and it can be difficult to distinguish genetic alterations that drove tumorigenesis from that those arose incidentally during transformation. To draw this distinction it is beneficial to have an assay that can quantitatively measure the effect of an altered gene on tumor initiation and other processes that enable tumors to persist and disseminate. Here we present a rapid means to screen large numbers of candidate melanoma modifiers in zebrafish using an autochthonous tumor model4 that encompasses steps required for melanoma initiation and maintenance. A key reagent in this assay is the miniCoopR vector, which couples a wild-type copy of the mitfa melanocyte specification factor to a Gateway recombination cassette into which candidate melanoma genes can be recombined5. The miniCoopR vector has a mitfa rescuing minigene which contains the promoter, open reading frame and 3'-untranslated region of the wild-type mitfa gene. It allows us to make constructs using full-length open reading frames of candidate melanoma modifiers. These individual clones can then be injected into single cell Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E);p53(lf);mitfa(lf)zebrafish embryos. The miniCoopR vector gets integrated by Tol2-mediated transgenesis6 and rescues melanocytes. Because they are physically coupled to the mitfa rescuing minigene, candidate genes are expressed in rescued melanocytes, some of which will transform and develop into tumors. The effect of a candidate gene on melanoma initiation and melanoma cell properties can be measured using melanoma-free survival curves, invasion assays, antibody staining and transplantation assays.

A rapid way to screen for melanoma modifiers using a zebrafish autochthonous tumor model is presented. It takes advantage of the miniCoopR vector which allows for expression of candidate melanoma genes in melanocytes. A method to obtain melanoma-free survival curves, an invasion assay, a protocol for antibody staining of scale melanocytes and a melanoma transplantation assay are described.

Screening per Modificatori melanoma utilizzando un modello Zebrafish Tumore autoctone

Genomic studies of  human cancers have yielded a wealth of information about genes that are altered  in tumors1,2,3. A challenge arising from these ...

Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the response to anti-cancer therapies. Three-dimensional co-culture systems are frequently used to explicate tumor-stroma interactions, including their role in drug responses. However, many of the interactions that occur in vivo in the intact microenvironment cannot be completely replicated in these in vitro settings. Thus, direct visualization of these processes in real-time has become an important tool in understanding tumor responses to therapies and identifying the interactions between cancer cells and the stroma that can influence these responses. Here we provide a method for using spinning disk confocal microscopy of live, anesthetized mice to directly observe drug distribution, cancer cell responses and changes in tumor-stroma interactions following administration of systemic therapy in breast cancer models. We describe procedures for labeling different tumor components, treatment of animals for observing therapeutic responses, and the surgical procedure for exposing tumor tissues for imaging up to 40 hours. The results obtained from this protocol are time-lapse movies, in which such processes as drug infiltration, cancer cell death and stromal cell migration can be evaluated using image analysis software.

We describe a method for imaging response to anti-cancer treatment in vivo and at single cell resolution.

Vivo Imaging di risposte droga nel microambiente tumorale in modelli murini di cancro al seno

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the response to anti-cancer therapies. Three-dimensional ...

Initiation of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma by Targeting of the Ductal Epithelium with Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease involving complex cellular interactions between the developing tumor and immune system, eventually resulting in exponential tumor growth and metastasis to distal tissues and the collapse of anti-tumor immunity. Many useful animal models exist to study breast cancer, but none completely recapitulate the disease progression that occurs in humans. In order to gain a better understanding of the cellular interactions that result in the formation of latent metastasis and decreased survival, we have generated an inducible transgenic mouse model of YFP-expressing ductal carcinoma that develops after sexual maturity in immune-competent mice and is driven by consistent, endocrine-independent oncogene expression. Activation of YFP, ablation of p53, and expression of an oncogenic form of K-ras was achieved by the delivery of an adenovirus expressing Cre-recombinase into the mammary duct of sexually mature, virgin female mice. Tumors begin to appear 6 weeks after the initiation of oncogenic events. After tumors become apparent, they progress slowly for approximately two weeks before they begin to grow exponentially. After 7-8 weeks post-adenovirus injection, vasculature is observed connecting the tumor mass to distal lymph nodes, with eventual lymphovascular invasion of YFP+ tumor cells to the distal axillary lymph nodes. Infiltrating leukocyte populations are similar to those found in human breast carcinomas, including the presence of &#945;&#946; and &#947;&#948; T cells, macrophages and MDSCs. This unique model will facilitate the study of cellular and immunological mechanisms involved in latent metastasis and dormancy in addition to being useful for designing novel immunotherapeutic interventions to treat invasive breast cancer.

Activation of latent mutations with adenovirus-Cre into the mammary ductal system results in a clinically relevant metastatic breast cancer. Incorporation of a YFP promoter allows tracking of distal metastatic tumor cells. This model is useful to study latent metastasis, anti-tumor immunity, and for designing novel immunotherapies to treat breast cancer.

Avvio del carcinoma metastatico della mammella dalla Targeting del duttale con Adenovirus-Cre: A Novel modello di topo transgenico di cancro al seno

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease involving complex cellular interactions between the developing tumor and immune system, eventually resulting in ...

An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast

The study of hormone action in the human breast has been hampered by lack of adequate model systems. Upon in vitro culture, primary mammary epithelial cells tend to lose hormone receptor expression. Widely used hormone receptor positive breast cancer cell lines are of limited relevance to the in vivo situation. Here, we describe an ex vivo model to study hormone action in the human breast. Fresh human breast tissue specimens from surgical discard material such as reduction mammoplasties or mammectomies are mechanically and enzymatically digested to obtain tissue fragments containing ducts and lobules and multiple stromal cell types. These tissue microstructures kept in basal medium without growth factors preserve their intercellular contacts, the tissue architecture, and remain hormone responsive for several days. They are readily processed for RNA and protein extraction, histological analysis or stored in freezing medium. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) can be used to enrich for specific cell populations. This protocol provides a straightforward, standard approach for translational studies with highly complex, varied human specimens.

An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast

We have developed a novel ex vivo model to study hormone action in the human breast. It is based on tissue microstructures isolated from surgical breast tissue specimens which preserve tissue architecture, intercellular interactions, and paracrine signaling.

Un<em&gt; Ex vivo</em&gt; Modello per studiare Hormone azione in seno umano

The study of hormone action in the human breast has been hampered by lack of adequate model systems. Upon in vitro culture, primary mammary epithelial ...

Three-Dimensional (3D) Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay

Invasion of surrounding normal tissues is generally considered to be a key hallmark of malignant (as opposed to benign) tumors. For some cancers in particular (e.g., brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck &#8211; SCCHN) it is a cause of severe morbidity and can be life-threatening even in the absence of distant metastases. In addition, cancers which have relapsed following treatment unfortunately often present with a more aggressive phenotype. Therefore, there is an opportunity to target the process of invasion to provide novel therapies that could be complementary to standard anti-proliferative agents. Until now, this strategy has been hampered by the lack of robust, reproducible assays suitable for a detailed analysis of invasion and for drug screening. Here we provide a simple micro-plate method (based on uniform, self-assembling 3D tumor spheroids) which has great potential for such studies. We exemplify the assay platform using a human glioblastoma cell line and also an SCCHN model where the development of resistance against targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors is associated with enhanced matrix-invasive potential. We also provide two alternative methods of semi-automated quantification: one using an imaging cytometer and a second which simply requires standard microscopy and image capture with digital image analysis.

Three-Dimensional 3D Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay

Invasion of surrounding normal tissues is a defining characteristic of malignant tumors. We provide here a simple, semi-automated micro-plate assay of invasion into a natural 3D biomatrix that has been exemplified with a number of models of advanced human cancers.

Tridimensionale (3D) Tumore Spheroid Invasion Assay

Invasion of surrounding normal tissues is generally considered to be a key hallmark of malignant (as opposed to benign) tumors. For some cancers in ...

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contains a subset of exclusively tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) which have been shown to drive tumor initiation, metastasis and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Here we describe a specific methodology for culturing primary human pancreatic CSCs as tumor spheres in anchorage-independent conditions. Cells are grown in serum-free, non-adherent conditions in order to enrich for CSCs while their more differentiated progenies do not survive and proliferate during the initial phase following seeding of single cells. This assay can be used to estimate the percentage of CSCs present in a population of tumor cells. Both size (which can range from 35 to 250 micrometers) and number of tumor spheres formed represents CSC activity harbored in either bulk populations of cultured cancer cells or freshly harvested and digested tumors 1,2. Using this assay, we recently found that metformin selectively ablates pancreatic CSCs; a finding that was subsequently further corroborated by demonstrating diminished expression of pluripotency-associated genes/surface markers and reduced in vivo tumorigenicity of metformin-treated cells. As the final step for preclinical development we treated mice bearing established tumors with metformin and found significantly prolonged survival. Clinical studies testing the use of metformin in patients with PDAC are currently underway (e.g., NCT01210911, NCT01167738, and NCT01488552). Mechanistically, we found that metformin induces a fatal energy crisis in CSCs by enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reducing mitochondrial transmembrane potential. In contrast, non-CSCs were not eliminated by metformin treatment, but rather underwent reversible cell cycle arrest. Therefore, our study serves as a successful example for the potential of in vitro sphere formation as a screening tool to identify compounds that potentially target CSCs, but this technique will require further in vitro and in vivo validation to eliminate false discoveries.

Pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be expanded in vitro using the anchorage-independent sphere culture technique, which represents a powerful tool to study CSC biology and can serve as the first step to develop novel CSC-targeting therapies. Here the methodology for expanding, analyzing and targeting of pancreatic CSCs is provided.

Studiare cancro del pancreas staminali caratteristiche cellulari per lo sviluppo di nuove strategie di trattamento

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contains a subset of exclusively tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) which have been shown to drive tumor ...

Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model

Cancer metastasis is the foremost cause of cancer-associated deaths. Recent studies have shown that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important in cancer metastasis. Indeed, the number of CTCs correlates with tumor size. Here, a detailed description is provided of a methodology for isolation and propagation of CTCs from a syngeneic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which allows for downstream analysis of potentially important molecular mechanisms of solid organ tumor metastasis. This method is efficient and reproducible. It is a non-invasive technique and, therefore, has potential to replace the invasive biopsy of tissues from humans which may be associated with complications. Therefore, the method discussed here allows for the isolation and propagation of CTCs from whole blood samples such that they can be examined and characterized. This has potential for future adaptation for clinical applications such as diagnosis, and personalized targeted therapy.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to play an important role in tumor metastasis. Here, a method for the isolation and propagation of CTCs from the whole blood of a syngeneic mouse tumor model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is described.

Isolamento e propagazione di cellule tumorali circolanti da un mouse cancro modello

Cancer metastasis is the foremost cause of cancer-associated deaths. Recent studies have shown that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important in cancer ...

A Brain Tumor/Organotypic Slice Co-culture System for Studying Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Drug Therapies

Brain tumors are a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Developing new therapeutics for these cancers is difficult, as many of these tumors are not easily grown in standard culture conditions. Neurosphere cultures under serum-free conditions and orthotopic xenografts have expanded the range of tumors that can be maintained. However, many types of brain tumors remain difficult to propagate or study. This is particularly true for pediatric brain tumors such as pilocytic astrocytomas and medulloblastomas. This protocol describes a system that allows primary human brain tumors to be grown in culture. This quantitative assay can be used to investigate the effect of microenvironment on tumor growth, and to test new drug therapies. This protocol describes a system where fluorescently labeled brain tumor cells are grown on an organotypic brain slice from a juvenile mouse. The response of tumor cells to drug treatments can be studied in this assay, by analyzing changes in the number of cells on the slice over time. In addition, this system can address the nature of the microenvironment that normally fosters growth of brain tumors. This brain tumor organotypic slice co-culture assay provides a propitious system for testing new drugs on human tumor cells within a brain microenvironment.

Many types of human brain tumors are localized to specific regions within the brain and are difficult to grow in culture. This protocol addresses the role of tumor microenvironment and investigates new drug treatments by analyzing fluorescent primary brain tumor cells growing in an organotypic mouse brain slice. &#160;

Un tumore cerebrale / organotipica fetta sistema di co-coltura per lo Studio microambiente tumorale e mirata terapie farmacologiche

Brain tumors are a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Developing new therapeutics for these cancers is difficult, as many of these ...