Glycopolymer Engineering of the Cell Surface Changes the Single Cell Migratory Direction and Inhibits the Collective Migration of Cancer Cells

Abstract

Cancer cell migration is one of the most important processes in cancer metastasis. Metastasis is the major cause of death from most solid tumors; therefore, suppressing cancer cell migration is an important means of reducing cancer mortality. Cell surface engineering can alter the interactions between cells and their microenvironment, thereby offering an effective method of controlling the migration of the cells. This paper reports that modification of the mouse melanoma (B16) cancer cell surface with glycopolymers affects the migration of the cells. Changes in cell morphology, migratory trajectories, and velocity were investigated by time-lapse cell tracking. The data showed that the migration direction is altered and diffusion slows down for modified B16 cells compared to unmodified B16 cells. When modified and unmodified B16 cells were mixed, wound-healing experiments and particle image velocimetry (PIV) analysis showed that the collective migration of unmodified B16 cells was suppressed because of vortexlike motions induced by the modified cells. The work demonstrates the important role of surface properties/modification in cancer cell migration, thereby providing new insights relative to the treatment of cancer metastasis.

In Situ Glycan Analysis and Editing in Living Systems

“…This can be considered as a neo-glycosylation method. Chen’s group exploited the property that HaloTag forms irreversible covalent bonds with chloroalkane ligands and achieved covalent installation of glycopolymers on the surface of cell membranes under physiological conditions by expressing HaloTagged proteins on cells and modifying glycopolymers with chloroalkane ligands. − Using T cells as a model, Ding and Ju et al. introduced azide groups for anchoring chain transfer agents at the Sia sites of the cell membrane using MGE.…”

Advancing cell surface modification in mammalian cells with synthetic molecules

“…Specifically, compared with the unmodified tumor cells, the migration direction was altered and diffusion slowed down which offered novel insights pertaining to the management of cancer metastasis. 175 A following study was carried out and we constructed glycopolymers modified DCs via the HTP strategy. Enhanced interactions were discovered between glycopolymer modified DCs and T cells which effectively promoted the T cell activation and proliferation, providing a novel approach to designing more efficient DC vaccines.…”

“…Subsequently, our group developed a series of studies via the HTP strategy. 172,175,176 Tumor cells were modied with specic glycopolymers via the HTP fusion technique combined with RAFT polymerization (Fig. 8A).…”

Effects of Various Cell Surface Engineering Reactions on the Biological Behavior of Mammalian Cells

“…[40][41][42][43] For instance, few studies have comprehensively investigated the effects of cell surface engineering approaches on cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. [44,45] Studies on the effects of different modification methods on the same cell type or the effects of the same modification method on the biological behavior of different cells have not been considered. Hence, a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of the effects of different cell surface modification methods and materials on cellular behavior (cell viability, growth, proliferation, cycle, adhesion, and migration) is crucial for selecting appropriate cell surface engineering methods for cell therapy and tissue engineering.…”