Real-time monitoring of oncolytic VSV properties in a novel in vitro microphysiological system containing 3D multicellular tumor spheroids

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 6;15(7):e0235356. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235356. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

As a new class of cancer therapeutic agents, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have gained much attention not only due to their ability to selectively replicate in and lyse tumor cells, but also for their potential to stimulate antitumor immune responses. As a result, there is an increasing need for in vitro modeling systems capable of recapitulating the 3D physiological tumor microenvironment. Here, we investigated the potential of our recently developed microphysiological system (MPS), featuring a vessel-like channel to reflect the in vivo tumor microenvironment and serving as culture spaces for 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs). The MCTSs consist of cancer A549 cells, stromal MRC5 cells, endothelial HUVECs, as well as the extracellular matrix. 3D MCTSs residing in the MPS were infected with oncolytic VSV expressing GFP (oVSV-GFP). Post-infection, GFP signal intensity increased only in A549 cells of the MPS. On the other hand, HUVECs were susceptible to virus infection under 2D culture and IFN-β secretion was quite delayed in HUVECs. These results thus demonstrate that OV antitumoral characteristics can be readily monitored in the MPS and that its behavior therein somewhat differs compared to its activity in 2D system. In conclusion, we present the first application of the MPS, an in vitro model that was developed to better reflect in vivo conditions. Its various advantages suggest the 3D MCTS-integrated MPS can serve as a first line monitoring system to validate oncolytic virus efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / methods
  • Extracellular Matrix
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy*
  • Oncolytic Viruses / genetics
  • Oncolytic Viruses / immunology*
  • Spheroids, Cellular
  • Vesiculovirus / genetics
  • Vesiculovirus / immunology*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF, http://www.nrf.re.kr) granted funded by the Korea government (NRF-2016R1A2B4014912 to CH Joo; NRF-2019R1A2C2005244 to GS Jeong; NRF-2019R1C1C1007468 to KJ Lee). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.