Computational Models Accurately Predict Multi-Cell Biomarker Profiles in Inflammation and Cancer

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 26;9(1):10877. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-47381-4.

Abstract

Individual computational models of single myeloid, lymphoid, epithelial, and cancer cells were created and combined into multi-cell computational models and used to predict the collective chemokine, cytokine, and cellular biomarker profiles often seen in inflamed or cancerous tissues. Predicted chemokine and cytokine output profiles from multi-cell computational models of gingival epithelial keratinocytes (GE KER), dendritic cells (DC), and helper T lymphocytes (HTL) exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or synthetic triacylated lipopeptide (Pam3CSK4) as well as multi-cell computational models of multiple myeloma (MM) and DC were validated using the observed chemokine and cytokine responses from the same cell type combinations grown in laboratory multi-cell cultures with accuracy. Predicted and observed chemokine and cytokine responses of GE KER + DC + HTL exposed to LPS and Pam3CSK4 matched 75% (15/20, p = 0.02069) and 80% (16/20, P = 0.005909), respectively. Multi-cell computational models became 'personalized' when cell line-specific genomic data were included into simulations, again validated with the same cell lines grown in laboratory multi-cell cultures. Here, predicted and observed chemokine and cytokine responses of MM cells lines MM.1S and U266B1 matched 75% (3/4) and MM.1S and U266B1 inhibition of DC marker expression in co-culture matched 100% (6/6). Multi-cell computational models have the potential to identify approaches altering the predicted disease-associated output profiles, particularly as high throughput screening tools for anti-inflammatory or immuno-oncology treatments of inflamed multi-cellular tissues and the tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Computational Biology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Epithelium / pathology*
  • Gingiva / pathology*
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diagnosis
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines