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In the last years it became evident that many cytokines do not only bind to their specific cell surface receptors but also interact with components of the extracellular matrix. Mainly in Drosophila, several enzymes were identified, that are involved in glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Mutations in these enzymes mostly result in disturbances of several signaling pathways like hedgehog, wingless, FGF or dpp. In most cases it was, due to these pleiotropic effects, not possible to examine the relevance of matrix interactions for single pathways. The aim of this work was to examine the relevance of matrix interactions for the TGF-ß superfamily member DPP. Based on the fact that DPP is highly homologous to human BMP-2, the basic N-terminus of mature DPP was mutated, which has been shown to contain a heparin-binding site in BMP-2. Thus, a wildtype variant (D-MYC), a deletion variant (D-DEL), which lacked the whole basic part of the N-terminus and a duplication variant (D-DUP), which contained a second copy of the basic core moitiv, were generated. In order to characterise the variants biochemically, they were expressed in E.coli and refolded in a bioactive form. In chicken limbbud assay, the deletion variant was much more active than the wildtype variant, comparable to data of BMP-2. By means of biacore mesurements with the immobilised ectodomain of the high affinity type I receptor thick veins, it could be demonstrated, that the variants differ only in matrix binding and not in their receptor affinity. Different matrix binding was shown by Heparin FPLC. The biological relevance of the matrix interaction of DPP was examined in transgenic flies. To allow expression of the different variants under the control of various Gal4 driver lines, they were cloned behind an UAS-promoter site. In early tracheal development, a strong dependence of DPP signaling on matrix binding was observed. While ectopic expression of the deletion variant caused only minor defects, the branching pattern was strongly disturbed by overexpression of wildtype and duplication variant. Ubiquitous expression of the variants in the wing imaginal disc caused overproliferation of the disc and expansion of the omb target gene expression. The extent of phenotypes correlated with the matrix binding ability of the variants. Corresponding disturbances of the wing vein pattern was observed in adult flies. By the crossing of different dpp allels, transheterozygous animals were created, that lack dpp only in imaginal discs. Expression of the variants under the control of a suitable dpp-Gal4 driver line revealed insights into the biological relevance of matrix binding on DPP gradient formation and specific target gene activation in wing imaginal discs. It was shown, that all variants were able to generate a functional DPP gradient with correct expression of the target genes omb and spalt. Again a correlation between extent of target gene domains and matrix binding ability of the corresponding variants was found. Thus by mutating the N-terminus of DPP, it could be shown that this is responsible for DPP`s matrix interaction. Also the relevance of matrix binding of DPP in different tissues was examined. It turned out, that the reorganisation of tracheal branching by DPP strongly depends on matrix interactions wheras the establishing of a gradient in wing imaginal discs depends only gradually on matrix interactions. Based on these data a model for the action of DPP/TGFßs as morphogens was established. While a deletion of matrix binding leads to a decrease in specific bioactivity of the cytokine, the latter is increased by additional matrix binding sites.
Non-contact, Label-free Monitoring of Cells and Extracellular Matrix using Raman Spectroscopy
(2012)
Non-destructive, non-contact and label-free technologies to monitor cell and tissue cultures are needed in the field of biomedical research.1-5 However, currently available routine methods require processing steps and alter sample integrity. Raman spectroscopy is a fast method that enables the measurement of biological samples without the need for further processing steps. This laser-based technology detects the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light.6 As every chemical vibration is assigned to a specific Raman band (wavenumber in cm-1), each biological sample features a typical spectral pattern due to their inherent biochemical composition.7-9 Within Raman spectra, the peak intensities correlate with the amount of the present molecular bonds.1 Similarities and differences of the spectral data sets can be detected by employing a multivariate analysis (e.g. principal component analysis (PCA)).10
Here, we perform Raman spectroscopy of living cells and native tissues. Cells are either seeded on glass bottom dishes or kept in suspension under normal cell culture conditions (37 °C, 5% CO2) before measurement. Native tissues are dissected and stored in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 4 °C prior measurements. Depending on our experimental set up, we then either focused on the cell nucleus or extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as elastin and collagen. For all studies, a minimum of 30 cells or 30 random points of interest within the ECM are measured. Data processing steps included background subtraction and normalization.
Background
Fibrosis poses a substantial setback in regenerative medicine. Histopathologically, fibrosis is an excessive accumulation of collagen affected by myofibroblasts and this can occur in any tissue that is exposed to chronic injury or insult. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a crucial mediator of fibrosis, drives differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. These cells exhibit α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and synthesize high amounts of collagen I, the major extracellular matrix (ECM) component of fibrosis. While hormones stimulate cells in a pulsatile manner, little is known about cellular response kinetics upon growth factor impact. We therefore studied the effects of short TGF-β1 pulses in terms of the induction and maintenance of the myofibroblast phenotype.
Results
Twenty-four hours after a single 30 min TGF-β1 pulse, transcription of fibrogenic genes was upregulated, but subsided 7 days later. In parallel, collagen I secretion rate and α-SMA presence were elevated for 7 days. A second pulse 24 h later extended the duration of effects to 14 days. We could not establish epigenetic changes on fibrogenic target genes to explain the long-lasting effects. However, ECM deposited under singly pulsed TGF-β1 was able to induce myofibroblast features in previously untreated fibroblasts. Dependent on the age of the ECM (1 day versus 7 days’ formation time), this property was diminished. Vice versa, myofibroblasts were cultured on fibroblast ECM and cells observed to express reduced (in comparison with myofibroblasts) levels of collagen I.
Conclusions
We demonstrated that short TGF-β1 pulses can exert long-lasting effects on fibroblasts by changing their microenvironment, thus leaving an imprint and creating a reciprocal feed-back loop. Therefore, the ECM might act as mid-term memory for pathobiochemical events. We would expect this microenvironmental memory to be dependent on matrix turnover and, as such, to be erasable. Our findings contribute to the current understanding of fibroblast induction and maintenance, and have bearing on the development of antifibrotic drugs.
Background: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor fibroblast growth factorinducible 14 (Fn14) are upregulated after myocardial infarction (MI) in both humans and mice. They modulate inflammation and the extracellular matrix, and could therefore be important for healing and remodeling after MI. However, the function of TWEAK after MI remains poorly defined.
Methods and results: Following ligation of the left coronary artery, mice were injected twice per week with a recombinant human serum albumin conjugated variant of TWEAK (HSA-Flag-TWEAK), mimicking the activity of soluble TWEAK. Treatment with HSA-Flag-TWEAK resulted in significantly increased mortality in comparison to the placebo group due to myocardial rupture. Infarct size, extracellular matrix remodeling, and apoptosis rates were not different after MI. However, HSA-Flag-TWEAK treatment increased infiltration of proinflammatory cells into the myocardium. Accordingly, depletion of neutrophils prevented cardiac ruptures without modulating all-cause mortality.
Conclusion: Treatment of mice with HSA-Flag-TWEAK induces myocardial healing defects after experimental MI. This is mediated by an exaggerated neutrophil infiltration into the myocardium.
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness due to chronic degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their optic nerve axons. It is associated with disturbed regulation of intraocular pressure, elevated intraocular levels of TGF-β2, aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and increased outflow resistance in the trabecular meshwork (TM). The mechanisms underlying these changes are not fully understood. Cell-matrix interactions have a decisive role in TM maintenance and it has been suggested that TGF-β-induced inhibition of matrix metalloproteases may drive aberrant ECM deposition in POAG. Invadopodia and podosomes (invadosomes) are distinct sites of cell-matrix interaction and localized matrix-metalloprotease (MMP) activity. Here, we report on the effects of TGF-β2 on invadosomes in human trabecular meshwork cells. Human TM (HTM) cells were derived from donor tissue and pretreated with vehicle or TGF-β2 (2 ng/ml) for 3d. Invadosomes were studied in ECM degradation assays, protein expression and MMP-2 activity were assessed by western blot and zymography and ECM protein transcription was detected by RT-qPCR. HTM cells spontaneously formed podosomes and invadopodia as detected by colocalization of Grb2 or Nck1 to sites of gelatinolysis. Pretreatment with TGF-β2 enhanced invadosomal proteolysis and zymographic MMP-2 activity as well as MMP-2, TIMP-2 and PAI-1 levels in HTM cell culture supernatants. Rho-kinase inhibition by H1152 blocked the effects of TGF-β2. Concomitant transcription of fibronectin and collagens-1, -4 and -6 was increased by TGF-β2 and fibrillar fibronectin deposits were observed in areas of invadosomal ECM remodelling. In contrast to a current hypothesis, our data indicate that TGF-β2 induces an active ECM remodelling process in TM cells, characterized by concurrent increases in localized ECM digestion and ECM expression, rather than a mere buildup of material due to a lack of degradation. Invadosomal cell adhesion and signaling may thus have a role in POAG pathophysiology.
Each year millions of plastic and reconstructive procedures are performed to regenerate soft tissue defects after, for example, traumata, deep burns or tumor resections. Tissue engineered adipose tissue grafts are a promising alternative to autologous fat transfer or synthetic implants to meet this demand for adipose tissue. Strategies of tissue engineering, especially the use of cell carriers, provide an environment for better cell survival, an easier positioning and supplemented with the appropriate conditions a faster vascularization in vivo. To successfully engineer an adipose tissue substitute for clinical use, it is crucial to know the actual intended application. In some areas, like the upper and lower extremities, only a thin subcutaneous fat layer is needed and in others, large volumes of vascularized fat grafts are more desirable. The use and interplay of stem cells and selected scaffolds were investigated and provide now a basis for the generation of fitted and suitable substitutes in two different application areas.
Complex injuries of the upper and lower extremities, in many cases, lead to excessive scarring. Due to severe damage to the subcutaneous fat layer, a common sequela is adhesion formation to mobile structures like tendons, nerves, and blood vessels resulting in restricted motion and disabling pain [Moor 1996, McHugh 1997]. In order to generate a subcutaneous fat layer to cushion scarred tissue after substantial burns or injuries, different collagen matrices were tested for clinical handling and the ability to support adipogenesis. When testing five different collagen matrices, PermacolTM and StratticeTM showed promising characteristics; additionally both possess the clinical approval. Under culture conditions, only PermacolTM, a cross-linked collagen matrix, exhibited an excellent long-term stability. Ranking nearly on the same level was StratticeTM, a non-cross-linked dermal scaffold; it only exhibited a slight shrinkage. All other scaffolds tested were severely compromised in stability under culture conditions. Engineering a subcutaneous fat layer, a construct would be desirable with a thin layer of emerging fat for cushioning on one side, and a non-seeded other side for cell migration and host integration. With PermacolTM and StratticeTM, it was possible to produce constructs with ASC (adipose derived stem cells) seeded on one side, which could be adipogenically differentiated. Additionally, the thickness of the cell layer could be varied. Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust the thickness of the construct to the surrounding tissue. In order to reduce the pre-implantation time ex vivo and the costs, the culture time was varied by testing different induction protocols. An adipogenic induction period of only four days was demonstrated to be sufficient to obtain a substantial adipogenic differentiation of the applied ASC. Thus, seeded with ASC, PermacolTM and StratticeTM are suitable scaffolds to engineer subcutaneous fat layers for reconstruction of the upper and lower extremities, as they support adipogenesis and are appropriately thin, and therefore would not compromise the cosmesis.
For the engineering of large-volume adipose tissue, adequate vascularization still represents a major challenge. With the objective to engineer vascularized fat pads, it is important to consider the slow kinetics of revascularization in vivo. Therefore, a decellularized porcine jejunum with pre-existing vascular structures and pedicles to connect to the host vasculature or the circulation of a bioreactor system was used. In a first step, the ability of a small decellularized jejunal section was tested for cell adhesion and for supporting adipogenic differentiation of hASC mono-cultures. Cell adhesion and adipogenic maturation of ASC seeded on the jejunal material was verified through histological and molecular analysis. After the successful mono-culture, the goal was to establish a MVEC (microvascular endothelial cells) and ASC co-culture; suitable culture conditions had to be found, which support the viability of both cell types and do not interfere with the adipogenic differentiation. After the elimination of EGF (epidermal growth factor) from the co-culture medium, substantial adipogenic maturation was observed. In the next step, a large jejunal segment (length 8 cm), with its pre-existing vascular structures and arterial/venous pedicles, was connected to the supply system of a custom-made bioreactor. After successful reseeding the vascular structure with endothelial cells, the lumen was seeded with ASC which were then adipogenically induced. Histological and molecular examinations confirmed adipogenic maturation and the existence of seeded vessels within the engineered construct. Noteworthily, a co-localization of adipogenically differentiating ASC and endothelial cells in vascular networks could be observed. So, for the first time a vascularized fat construct was developed in vitro, based on the use of a decellularized porcine jejunum. As this engineered construct can be connected to a supply system or even to a patient vasculature, it is versatile in use, for example, as transplant in plastic and reconstruction surgery, as model in basic research or as an in vitro drug testing system.
To summarize, in this work a promising substitute for subcutaneous fat layer reconstruction, in the upper and lower extremities, was developed, and the first, as far as reported, in vitro generated adipose tissue construct with integrated vascular networks was successfully engineered.
The process of tumor invasion requires degradation of extracellular matrix by proteolytic enzymes. Cancer cells form protrusive invadopodia, which produce and release matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to degrade the basement membrane thereby enabling metastasis. We investigated the effect of LASP1, a newly identified protein in invadopodia, on expression, secretion and activation of MMPs in invasive breast tumor cell lines.
By analyzing microarray data of in-house generated control and LASP1-depleted MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, we observed downregulation of MMP1, -3 and -9 upon LASP1 depletion. This was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Conversely, rescue experiments restored in part MMP expression and secretion. The regulatory effect of LASP1 on MMP expression was also observed in BT-20 breast cancer cells as well as in prostate and bladder cancer cell lines.
In line with bioinformatic FunRich analysis of our data, which mapped a high regulation of transcription factors by LASP1, public microarray data analysis detected a correlation between high LASP1 expression and enhanced c-Fos levels, a protein that is part of the transcription factor AP-1 and known to regulate MMP expression. Compatibly, in luciferase reporter assays, AP-1 showed a decreased transcriptional activity after LASP1 knockdown.
Zymography assays and Western blot analysis revealed an additional promotion of MMP secretion into the extracellular matrix by LASP1, thus, most likely, altering the microenvironment during cancer progression.
The newly identified role of LASP1 in regulating matrix degradation by affecting MMP transcription and secretion elucidated the migratory potential of LASP1 overexpressing aggressive tumor cells in earlier studies.
Development of predictable in vitro tumor models is a challenging task due to the enormous complexity of tumors in vivo. The closer the resemblance of these models to human tumor characteristics, the more suitable they are for drug-development and –testing. In the present study, we generated a complex 3D lung tumor test system based on acellular rat lungs. A decellularization protocol was established preserving the architecture, important ECM components and the basement membrane of the lung. Human lung tumor cells cultured on the scaffold formed cluster and exhibited an up-regulation of the carcinoma-associated marker mucin1 as well as a reduced proliferation rate compared to respective 2D culture. Additionally, employing functional imaging with 2-deoxy-2-[\(^{18}\)F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) these tumor cell cluster could be detected and tracked over time. This approach allowed monitoring of a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in the in vitro lung tumor model non-destructively. Surprisingly, FDG-PET assessment of single tumor cell cluster on the same scaffold exhibited differences in their response to therapy, indicating heterogeneity in the lung tumor model. In conclusion, our complex lung tumor test system features important characteristics of tumors and its microenvironment and allows monitoring of tumor growth and -metabolism in combination with functional imaging. In longitudinal studies, new therapeutic approaches and their long-term effects can be evaluated to adapt treatment regimes in future.
When aiming at cell‐based therapies in osteoarthritis (OA), proinflammatory conditions mediated by cytokines such as IL‐1β need to be considered. In recent studies, the phytoalexin resveratrol (RSV) has exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory properties. However, long‐term effects on 3D cartilaginous constructs under inflammatory conditions with regard to tissue quality, especially extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, have remained unexplored. Therefore, we employed long‐term model cultures for cell‐based therapies in an in vitro OA environment and evaluated effects of RSV. Pellet constructs made from expanded porcine articular chondrocytes were cultured with either IL‐1β (1–10 ng/ml) or RSV (50 μM) alone, or a cotreatment with both agents. Treatments were applied for 14 days, either directly after pellet formation or after a preculture period of 7 days. Culture with IL‐1β (10 ng/ml) decreased pellet size and DNA amount and severely compromised glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen content. Cotreatment with RSV distinctly counteracted the proinflammatory catabolism and led to partial rescue of the ECM composition in both culture systems, with especially strong effects on GAG. Marked MMP13 expression was detected in IL‐1β‐treated pellets, but none upon RSV cotreatment. Expression of collagen type I was increased upon IL‐1β treatment and still observed when adding RSV, whereas collagen type X, indicating hypertrophy, was detected exclusively in pellets treated with RSV alone. In conclusion, RSV can counteract IL‐1β‐mediated degradation and distinctly improve cartilaginous ECM deposition in 3D long‐term inflammatory cultures. Nevertheless, potential hypertrophic effects should be taken into account when considering RSV as cotreatment for articular cartilage repair techniques.
Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises the larger part of the overall tumor mass. Like the other components of the TME, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs. Intratumoral signaling, transport mechanisms, metabolisms, oxygenation, and immunogenicity are strongly affected if not controlled by the ECM. Exerting this regulatory control, the ECM does not only influence malignancy and growth of the tumor but also its response toward therapy. Understanding the particularities of the ECM in solid tumor is necessary to develop approaches to interfere with its negative effect. In this review, we will also highlight the current understanding of the physical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the pathological tumor ECM affects the efficiency of radio-, chemo-, and immunotherapy. Finally, we will discuss the various strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM and how they could be utilized to improve response to therapy.