Molecular Biology and Genetics / Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/9

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  • Book Part
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Automated Analysis of Phase-Contrast Optical Microscopy Time-Lapse Images: Application To Wound Healing and Cell Motility Assays of Breast Cancer
    (Elsevier, 2023) Erdem, Yusuf Sait; Ayanzadeh, Aydın; Mayalı, Berkay; Balıkçı, Muhammed; Belli, Özge Nur; Uçar, Mahmut; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Pesen Okvur, Devrim; Önal, Sevgi; Morani, Kenan; Iheme, Leonardo Obinna; Töreyin, Behçet Uğur
    This chapter describes a workflow for analyzing phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) data from two fundamental types of biomedical assays: assays for cell motility and assays for wound healing. The workflow of the analysis is composed of the methods for acquiring, restoring, segmenting, and quantifying biomedical data. In the literature, there have been separate methods aimed at specific stages of PCM data analysis. Nonetheless, there has never been a complete workflow for all stages of analysis. This work is an innovation that proposes an end-to-end workflow for image pre-processing, deep learning segmentation, tracking, and quantification stages in cell motility and wound healing assay analyses. The findings indicate that domain knowledge can be used to make simple but significant improvements to the results of cutting-edge methods. Furthermore, even for deep learning-based methods, pre-processing is clearly a necessary step in the workflow. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Review
    Citation - WoS: 14
    Citation - Scopus: 14
    Recent Advances in Lab-On Systems for Breast Cancer Metastasis Research
    (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023) Fıratlıgil Yıldırır, Burcu; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Nonappa
    Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Multiple molecular subtypes, heterogeneity, and their ability to metastasize from the primary site to distant organs make breast cancer challenging to diagnose, treat, and obtain the desired therapeutic outcome. As the clinical importance of metastasis is dramatically increasing, there is a need to develop sustainable in vitro preclinical platforms to investigate complex cellular processes. Traditional in vitro and in vivo models cannot mimic the highly complex and multistep process of metastasis. Rapid progress in micro- and nanofabrication has contributed to soft lithography or three-dimensional printing-based lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems. LOC platforms, which mimic in vivo conditions, offer a more profound understanding of cellular events and allow novel preclinical models for personalized treatments. Their low cost, scalability, and efficiency have resulted in on-demand design platforms for cell, tissue, and organ-on-a-chip platforms. Such models can overcome the limitations of two- and three-dimensional cell culture models and the ethical challenges involved in animal models. This review provides an overview of breast cancer subtypes, various steps and factors involved in metastases, existing preclinical models, and representative examples of LOC systems used to study and understand breast cancer metastasis and diagnosis and as a platform to evaluate advanced nanomedicine for breast cancer metastasis.
  • Article
    Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition as a Potential Route for Dapt Resistance in Breast Cancer Cells
    (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2023) Tellı, Kubra; Ozuysal, Ozden Yalcın; Telli, Kübra; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden
    Objectives: Notch is a conserved pathway involved in cell- fate determination and homeostasis. Its dysregulation plays a role in poor prognosis and drug resistance in breast cancer. Targeting Notch signaling via inhibition of the gamma- secretase complex is in the spotlight of modern cancer treat- ments. Gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSI) have shown suc- cessful clinical activity in treating cancers, yet the possible resistance mechanism remains unstudied. Modeling the resistance and understanding culprit molecular mechanisms can improve GSI therapies. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to generate and analyze GSI-resistant breast cancer cells. Methods: Gradually increasing doses of DAPT, a well-known GSI, were applied to MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines to generate resistance. Cell viability, migration and gene expressions were assessed by MTT, wound healing and qRT-PCR analyses. Results: DAPT-resistant MCF-7 cells exhibited abnormal expression of Notch receptors, Notch targets (HES1, HES5, HEY1), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, ZO-1, SNAIL2, N-cadherin) to overcome the continuous increase in DAPT toxicity by increased migration through mesenchymal transition. Conclusions: This study prospects into the role of EMT in the potential resistance mechanism against DAPT treatment for breast cancer cells. Complementary targeting of EMT should be investigated further for a possible effect to potentiate DAPT’s anti-cancer effects.
  • Conference Object
    Peptıde Targeted Core Cross-lınked Mıcelles For Dox Delıvery To Her2 Expressıng Cancer Cells
    (Mary Ann Liebert, 2022) Bayram, Nazende Nur; Ulu, Gizem Tuğçe; Gürdap, Seda; İşoğlu, İsmail Alper; Baran, Yusuf; Dinçer İşoğlu, Sevil
    In this study, we prepared a novel targeted and extra stable micellar nanocarrier that can facilitate intracellular drug release. First, ((N-3-sulfopropyl-N, N-dimethylammonium)ethyl methacrylate was synthesized by RAFT polymerization, and it was followed by copolymerization of macroCTA with AEM in the presence of an aciddegradable cross-linker. Then, a peptide estimated by phage display for HER-2 recognition was incorporated into these core cross-linked micelles with carbodiimide reaction.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 7
    Citation - Scopus: 7
    Connexin 32 Overexpression Increases Proliferation, Reduces Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication, Motility and Epithelial-To Transition in Hs578t Breast Cancer Cells
    (Springer, 2022) Uğur, Deniz; Güngül, Taha Buğra; Yücel, Simge; Özçivici, Engin; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Meşe Özçivici, Gülistan
    Connexins (Cx) are primary components of gap junctions that selectively allow molecules to be exchanged between adjacent cells, regulating multiple cellular functions. Along with their channel forming functions, connexins play a variety of roles in different stages of tumorigenesis and their roles in tumor initiation and progression is isoform- and tissue-specific. While Cx26 and Cx43 were downregulated during breast tumorigenesis, Cx32 was accumulated in the cytoplasm of the cells in lymph node metastasis of breast cancers and Cx32 was further upregulated in metastasis. Cx32's effect on cell proliferation, gap junctional communication, hemichannel activity, cellular motility and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated by overexpressing Cx32 in Hs578T and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Additionally, the expression and localization of Cx26 and Cx43 upon Cx32 overexpression were examined by Western blot and immunostaining experiments, respectively. We observed that MCF7 cells had endogenous Cx32 while Hs578T cells did not and when Cx32 was overexpressed in these cells, it caused a significant increase in the percentages of Hs578T cells at the S phase in addition to increasing their proliferation. Further, while Cx32 overexpression did not induce hemichannel activity in either cell, it decreased gap junctional communication between Hs578T cells. Additionally, Cx32 was mainly observed in the cytoplasm in both cells, where it did not form gap junction plaques but Cx32 overexpression reduced Cx43 levels without affecting Cx26. Moreover, migration and invasion potentials of Hs578T and migration in MCF7 were reduced upon Cx32 overexpression. Finally, the protein level of mesenchymal marker N-cadherin decreased while epithelial marker ZO-1 and E-cadherin increased in Hs578T cells. We observed that Cx32 overexpression altered cell proliferation, communication, migration and EMT in Hs578T, suggesting a tumor suppressor role in these cells while it had minor effects on MCF7 cells.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 12
    Citation - Scopus: 12
    Sema6d Differentially Regulates Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Breast Cell Lines
    (American Chemical Society, 2022) Günyüz, Zehra Elif; Sahi İlhan, Ece; Küçükköse, Cansu; İpekgil, Doğaç; Tok, Güneş; Meşe, Gülistan; Özçivici, Engin; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden
    Semaphorin 6D (SEMA6D), a member of the class 6 semaphorin family, is a membrane-associated protein that plays a key role in the development of cardiac and neural tissues. A growing body of evidence suggests that SEMA6D is also involved in tumorigenesis. In breast cancer, high SEMA6D levels are correlated with better survival rates. However, very little is known about the functional significance of SEMA6D in breast tumorigenesis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of SEMA6D expression on the normal breast cell line MCF10A and the breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA MB 231. We demonstrated that SEMA6D expression increases the proliferation of MCF10A cells, whereas the opposite effect was observed in MCF7 cells. SEMA6D expression induced anchorage-independent growth in both cancer cell lines. Furthermore, migration of MCF10A and MCF7 cells and invasion of MDA MB 231 cells were elevated in response to SEMA6D overexpression. Accordingly, the genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were altered by SEMA6D expression in MCF10A and MCF7 cell lines. Finally, we provided evidence that SEMA6D levels were associated with the expression of the cell cycle, EMT, and Notch signaling pathway-related genes in breast cancer patients' data. We showed for the first time that SEMA6D overexpression has cell-specific effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of normal and cancer breast cell lines, which agrees with the gene expression data of clinical samples. This study lays the groundwork for future research into understanding the functional importance of SEMA6D in breast cancer
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 13
    Citation - Scopus: 13
    Her2-Targeted, Degradable Core Cross-Linked Micelles for Specific and Dual Ph-Sensitive Dox Release
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2021) Bayram, Nazende Nur; Ulu, Gizem Tuğçe; Topuzoğulları, Murat; Baran, Yusuf; Dinçer İşoğlu, Sevil
    Here, a targeted, dual-pH responsive, and stable micelle nanocarrier is designed, which specifically selects an HER2 receptor on breast cancer cells. Intracellularly degradable and stabilized micelles are prepared by core cross-linking via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization with an acid-sensitive cross-linker followed by the conjugation of maleimide-doxorubicin to the pyridyl disulfide-modified micelles. Multifunctional nanocarriers are obtained by coupling HER2-specific peptide. Formation of micelles, addition of peptide and doxorubicin (DOX) are confirmed structurally by spectroscopical techniques. Size and morphological characterization are performed by Zetasizer and transmission electron microscope (TEM). For the physicochemical verification of the synergistic acid-triggered degradation induced by acetal and hydrazone bond degradation, Infrared spectroscopy and particle size measurements are used. Drug release studies show that DOX release is accelerated at acidic pH. DOX-conjugated HER2-specific peptide-carrying nanocarriers significantly enhance cytotoxicity toward SKBR-3 cells. More importantly, no selectivity toward MCF-10A cells is observed compared to HER2(+) SKBR-3 cells. Formulations cause apoptosis depending on Bax and Caspase-3 and cell cycle arrest in G2 phase. This study shows a novel system for HER2-targeted therapy of breast cancer with a multifunctional nanocarrier, which has higher stability, dual pH-sensitivity, selectivity, and it can be an efficient way of targeted anticancer drug delivery.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 6
    Improved Cell Segmentation Using Deep Learning in Label-Free Optical Microscopy Images
    (TÜBİTAK - Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, 2021) Ayanzadeh, Aydın; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Pesen Okvur, Devrim; Önal, Sevgi; Töreyin, Behçet Uğur; Ünay, Devrim
    The recently popular deep neural networks (DNNs) have a significant effect on the improvement of segmentation accuracy from various perspectives, including robustness and completeness in comparison to conventional methods. We determined that the naive U-Net has some lacks in specific perspectives and there is high potential for further enhancements on the model. Therefore, we employed some modifications in different folds of the U-Net to overcome this problem. Based on the probable opportunity for improvement, we develop a novel architecture by using an alternative feature extractor in the encoder of U-Net and replacing the plain blocks with residual blocks in the decoder. This alteration makes the model superconvergent yielding improved performance results on two challenging optical microscopy image series: a phase-contrast dataset of our own (MDA-MB-231) and a brightfield dataset from a well-known challenge (DSB2018). We utilized the U-Net with pretrained ResNet-18 as the encoder for the segmentation task. Hence, following the modifications, we redesign a novel skip-connection to reduce the semantic gap between the encoder and the decoder. The proposed skip-connection increases the accuracy of the model on both datasets. The proposed segmentation approach results in Jaccard Index values of 85.0% and 89.2% on the DSB2018 and MDA-MB-231 datasets, respectively. The results reveal that our method achieves competitive results compared to the state-of-the-art approaches and surpasses the performance of baseline approaches.
  • Conference Object
    Advantage of Co-Culture Strategy for Targeted Cancer Treatment and in Vitro Studies
    (Elsevier, 2021) Ulu, Gizem Tuğçe; Bayram, Nazende Nur; Dinçer İşoğlu, Sevil; Baran, Yusuf
    Breast cancer tissues include carcinoma cells and stromal cells, and intra-tumoral stroma that consists of different types of cells. For this point, cell-cell interaction and communication have a potential role in cancer progression. Mono-cell culture is used for cancer treatment approaches. However, cell-cell interaction and communication can not be evaluated on mono-culture cells. So, co-culture models provide low-cost screening to determine cell proliferation for drug application before moving forward to in vivo models. Also, determination of cell morphology in co culture system is critical to understand advantages.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 24
    Citation - Scopus: 23
    On-Chip Determination of Tissue-Specific Metastatic Potential of Breast Cancer Cells
    (Wiley, 2021) Fıratlıgil Yıldırır, Burcu; Batı Ayaz, Gizem; Tahmaz, İsmail; Bilgen, Müge; Pesen Okvur, Devrim; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden
    Metastasis is one of the major obstacles for breast cancer patients. Limitations of current models demand the development of custom platforms to predict metastatic potential and homing choices of cancer cells. Here, two organ-on-chip platforms, invasion/chemotaxis (IC-chip) and extravasation (EX-chip) were used for the quantitative assessment of invasion and extravasation towards specific tissues. Lung, liver and breast microenvironments were simulated in the chips using tissue-specific cells embedded in matrigel. In the IC-chip, invasive MDA-MB-231, but not noninvasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells invaded into lung and liver microenvironments. In the EX-chip, MDA-MB-231 cells extravasated more into the lung compared to the liver and breast microenvironments. In addition, lung-specific MDA-MB-231 clone invaded and extravasated into the lung microenvironment more efficiently than the bone-specific clone. Both invasion/chemotaxis and extravasation results were in agreement with published clinical data. Collectively, our results show that IC-chip and EX-chip, simulating tissue-specific microenvironments, can distinguish different in vivo metastatic phenotypes, in vitro. Determination of tissue-specific metastatic potential of breast cancer cells is expected to improve diagnosis and help select the ideal therapy.