Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spatially graded hydrogels for preclinical testing of glioblastoma anticancer therapeutics

  • Biomaterials for 3D Cell Biology Research Letter
  • Published:
MRS Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

While preclinical models such as orthotopic tumors generated in mice from patient-derived specimens are widely used to predict sensitivity or therapeutic interventions for cancer, such xenografts can be slow, require extensive infrastructure, and can make in situ assessment difficult. Such concerns are heightened in highly aggressive cancers, such as glioblastoma (GBM), that display genetic diversity and short mean survival. Biomimetic biomaterial technologies offer an approach to create ex vivo models that reflect biophysical features of the tumor microenvironment (TME). We describe a microfluidic templating approach to generate spatially graded hydrogels containing patient-derived GBM cells to explore drug efficacy and resistance mechanisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. D.N. Louis, A. Perry, G. Reifenberger, A. von Deimling, D. Figarella-Branger, W.K. Cavenee, H. Ohgaki, O.D. Wiestler, P. Kleihues, and D.W. Ellison: The 2016 World Health Organization classification of tumors of the central nervous system: a summary. Acta Neuropathol. 131, 803 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. F.B. Furnari, T. Fenton, R.M. Bachoo, A. Mukasa, J.M. Stommel, A. Stegh, W.C. Hahn, K.L. Ligon, D.N. Louis, C. Brennan, L. Chin, R.A. DePinho, and W.K. Cavenee: Malignant astrocytic glioma: genetics, biology, and paths to treatment. Genes Dev. 21, 2683 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. D.R. Johnson and B.P. O’Neill: Glioblastoma survival in the United States before and during the temozolomide era. J. Neurooncol. 107, 359 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. N.A. Charles, E.C. Holland, R. Gilbertson, R. Glass, and H. Kettenmann: The brain tumor microenvironment. Glia 59, 1169 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. C. Jackson, J. Ruzevick, J. Phallen, Z. Belcaid, and M. Lim: Challenges in immunotherapy presented by the glioblastoma multiforme microenvironment. Clin. Dev. Immunol. 2011, 20 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. R. Stupp, W.P. Mason, M.J. van den Bent, M. Weller, B. Fisher, M.J. Taphoorn, K. Belanger, A.A. Brandes, C. Marosi, U. Bogdahn, J. Curschmann, R.C. Janzer, S.K. Ludwin, T. Gorlia, A. Allgeier, D. Lacombe, J.G. Cairncross, E. Eisenhauer, and R.O. Mirimanoff: Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma. N. Engl. J. Med. 352, 987 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. M. Okada, M. Saio, Y. Kito, N. Ohe, H. Yano, S. Yoshimura, T. Iwama, and T. Takami: Tumor-associated macrophage/microglia infiltration in human gliomas is correlated with MCP-3, but not MCP-1. Int. J. Oncol. 34, 1621 (2009).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. J.D. Lathia, S.C. Mack, E.E. Mulkearns-Hubert, C.L. Valentim, and J.N. Rich: Cancer stem cells in glioblastoma. Genes Dev. 29, 1203 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. N.G. Thaker and I.F. Pollack: Molecularly targeted therapies for malignant glioma: rationale for combinatorial strategies. Expert Rev. Neurother. 9, 1815 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. T.T. Huang, S.M. Sarkaria, T.F. Cloughesy, and P.S. Mischel: Targeted therapy for malignant glioma patients: lessons learned and the road ahead. Neurotherapeutics 6, 500 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. S. Misra, B.P. Toole, and S. Ghatak: Hyaluronan constitutively regulates activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases in epithelial and carcinoma cells. J. Biol. Chem. 281, 34936 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. A. Rape, B. Ananthanarayanan, and S. Kumar: Engineering strategies to mimic the glioblastoma microenvironment. Adv. Drug Delivery. Rev. 79–80, 172 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. P. Roth and M. Weller: Challenges to targeting epidermal growth factor receptor in glioblastoma: escape mechanisms and combinatorial treatment strategies. Neuro Oncol. 16, viii14 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. T.E. Taylor, F.B. Furnari, and W.K. Cavenee: Targeting EGFR for treatment of glioblastoma: molecular basis to overcome resistance. Curr. Cancer Drug Targets 12, 197 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. A. Schulte, K. Liffers, A. Kathagen, S. Riethdorf, S. Zapf, A. Merlo, K. Kolbe, M. Westphal, and K. Lamszus: Erlotinib resistance in EGFR-amplified glioblastoma cells is associated with upregulation of EGFRvIII and PI3Kp110δ. Neuro Oncol. 15, 1289 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. M.G. Slomiany, L. Dai, P.A. Bomar, T.J. Knackstedt, D.A. Kranc, L. Tolliver, B.L. Maria, and B.P. Toole: Abrogating drug resistance in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors by disrupting hyaluronan-CD44 interactions with small hyaluronan oligosaccharides. Cancer Res. 69, 4992 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. S. Pedron, E. Becka, and B.A. Harley: Spatially gradated hydrogel platform as a 3D engineered tumor microenvironment. Adv. Mater. 27, 1567 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. J.M. Heddleston, M. Hitomi, M. Venere, W.A. Flavahan, K. Yan, Y. Kim, S. Minhas, J.N. Rich, and A.B. Hjelmeland: Glioma stem cell maintenance: the role of the microenvironment. Curr. Pharm. Des. 17, 2386 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. R.G.W. Verhaak, K.A. Hoadley, E. Purdom, V. Wang, Y. Qi, M.D. Wilkerson, C.R. Miller, L. Ding, T. Golub, J.P. Mesirov, G. Alexe, M. Lawrence, M. O’Kelly, P. Tamayo, B.A. Weir, S. Gabriel, W. Winckler, S. Gupta, L. Jakkula, H.S. Feiler, J.G. Hodgson, C.D. James, J.N. Sarkaria, C. Brennan, A. Kahn, P.T. Spellman, R.K. Wilson, T.P. Speed, J.W. Gray, M. Meyerson, G. Getz, C.M. Perou, D.N. Hayes, and N. Canc Genome Atlas Res: Integrated genomic analysis identifies clinically relevant subtypes of glioblastoma characterized by abnormalities in PDGFRA, IDH1, EGFR, and NF1. Cancer Cell 17, 98 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. B. Westermark: Glioblastoma—a moving target. Ups. J. Med. Sci. 117, 251 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. D. Hambardzumyan, Y.-K. Cheng, H. Haeno, E.C. Holland, and F. Michor: The probable cell of origin of NF1- and PDGF-driven glioblastomas. PLoS ONE 6, e24454 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. M. Labussiere, M. Sanson, A. Idbaih, and J.Y. Delattre: IDH1 gene mutations: a new paradigm in glioma prognosis and therapy? Oncologist 15, 196 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. J.N. Rich, C. Hans, B. Jones, E.S. Iversen, R.E. McLendon, B.K. Rasheed, A. Dobra, H.K. Dressman, D.D. Bigner, J.R. Nevins, and M. West: Gene expression profiling and genetic markers in glioblastoma survival. Cancer Res. 65, 4051 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. J.N. Sarkaria, L. Yang, P.T. Grogan, G.J. Kitange, B.L. Carlson, M.A. Schroeder, E. Galanis, C. Giannini, W. Wu, E.B. Dinca, and C.D. James: Identification of molecular characteristics correlated with glioblastoma sensitivity to EGFR kinase inhibition through use of an intracranial xenograft test panel. Mol. Cancer Ther. 6, 1167 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. J.N. Sarkaria, B.L. Carlson, M.A. Schroeder, P. Grogan, P.D. Brown, C. Giannini, K.V. Ballman, G.J. Kitange, A. Guha, A. Pandita, and C.D. James: Use of an orthotopic xenograft model for assessing the effect of epidermal growth factor receptor amplification on glioblastoma radiation response. Clin. Cancer Res. 12, 2264 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. C. Giannini, J.N. Sarkaria, A. Saito, J.H. Uhm, E. Galanis, B.L. Carlson, M.A. Schroeder, and C.D. James: Patient tumor EGFR and PDGFRA gene amplifications retained in an invasive intracranial xenograft model of glioblastoma multiforme. Neuro Oncol. 7, 164 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. S. Pedron, E. Becka, and B.A.C. Harley: Regulation of glioma cell phenotype in 3D matrices by hyaluronic acid. Biomaterials 34, 7408 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. B.P. Mahadik, T.D. Wheeler, L.J. Skertich, P.J. Kenis, and B.A. Harley: Microfluidic generation of gradient hydrogels to modulate hematopoietic stem cell culture environment. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 3, 449 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. B.P. Mahadik, S. Pedron Haba, L.J. Skertich, and B.A.C. Harley: The use of covalently immobilized stem cell factor to selectively affect hematopoietic stem cell activity within a gelatin hydrogel. Biomaterials 67, 297 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. T. Mosmann: Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. J. Immunol. Methods 65, 55 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. G.P. Duffy, T.M. McFadden, E.M. Byrne, S.L. Gill, E. Farrell, and F.J. O’Brien: Towards in vitro vascularisation of collagen-GAG scaffolds. Eur. Cells Mater. 21, 15 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. K.J. Livak and T.D. Schmittgen: Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(T)(-Delta Delta C) method. Methods 25, 402 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. M.R. Wiranowska and M. V. Rojiani: Extracellular matrix microenvironment in glioma progression, in Glioma—Exploring Its Biology and Practical Relevance, edited by A. Ghosh (InTech, Rijeka, Croatia, 2011), p. 257.

    Google Scholar 

  34. R. Endersby and S.J. Baker: PTEN signaling in brain: neuropathology and tumorigenesis. Oncogene 27, 5416 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. A. Perez, D.M. Neskey, J. Wen, L. Pereira, E.P. Reategui, W.J. Goodwin, K.L. Carraway, and E.J. Franzmann: CD44 interacts with EGFR and promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma initiation and progression. Oral Oncol. 49, 306 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. J. Cha, S.-G. Kang, and P. Kim: Strategies of mesenchymal invasion of patient-derived brain tumors: microenvironmental adaptation. Sci. Rep. 6, 24912 (2016).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. B.P. Toole: Hyaluronan: from extracellular glue to pericellular cue. Nat. Rev. Cancer 4, 528 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. D. Tsatas, V. Kanagasundaram, A. Kaye, and U. Novak: EGF receptor modifies cellular responses to hyaluronan in glioblastoma cell lines. J. Clin. Neurosci. 9, 282 (2002).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. J.-W. Chen, S. Pedron and B.A.C. Harley: The combined influence of hydrogel stiffness and matrix-bound hyaluronic acid content on glioblastoma invasion. Macromol. Biosci. 17, 1616 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. R.L. Klank, S.A. Decker Grunke, B.L. Bangasser, C.L. Forster, M.A. Price, T.J. Odde, K.S. SantaCruz, S.S. Rosenfeld, P. Canoll, E.A. Turley, J.B. McCarthy, J.R. Ohlfest, and D.J. Odde: Biphasic dependence of glioma survival and cell migration on CD44 expression level. Cell Rep. 18, 23.

  41. J. Mendelsohn and J. Baselga: Status of epidermal growth factor receptor antagonists in the biology and treatment of cancer. J. Clin. Oncol. 21, 2787 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. R.W. Akita and M.X. Sliwkowski: Preclinical studies with erlotinib (Tarceva). Semin. Oncol. 30, 15 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. S.J. Wang and L.Y.W. Bourguignon: Role of hyaluronan-mediated CD44 signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression and chemoresistance. Am. J. Pathol. 178, 956 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. C. Holohan, S. Van Schaeybroeck, D.B. Longley, and P.G. Johnston: Cancer drug resistance: an evolving paradigm. Nat. Rev. Cancer 13, 714 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. R. Ohashi, F. Takahashi, R. Cui, M. Yoshioka, T. Gu, S. Sasaki, S. Tominaga, K. Nishio, K.K. Tanabe, and K. Takahashi: Interaction between CD44 and hyaluronate induces chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer cell. Cancer Lett. 252, 225 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for seed funding provided by the Illini 4000 as well as the by Mayo Clinic—University of Illinois Alliance for Technology-Based Healthcare. Research reported in this publication was also supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01 CA197488. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. The authors are also grateful for additional funding provided by the Illinoi4000, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    S. Pedron, H. Polishetty, A. M. Pritchard, B. P. Mahadik, Carl R. Woese & B. A. C. Harley

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    J. N. Sarkaria

  3. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 110 Roger Adams Lab., 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    B. A. C. Harley

Authors
  1. S. Pedron
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Polishetty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. M. Pritchard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. B. P. Mahadik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Carl R. Woese
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. N. Sarkaria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. B. A. C. Harley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. A. C. Harley.

Supporting Information

Supplementary material

Supplementary material

The supplementary material for this article can be found at https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2017.85.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pedron, S., Polishetty, H., Pritchard, A.M. et al. Spatially graded hydrogels for preclinical testing of glioblastoma anticancer therapeutics. MRS Communications 7, 442–449 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2017.85

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2017.85

Search

Navigation