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Three-dimensional decellularized tumor extracellular matrices with different stiffness as bioengineered tumor
Yonggang Lv1,2, Hongjun Wang1,2, Gui Li1,2
1Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.
Bioactive Materials
|March 5, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed 3D decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) scaffolds mimicking tumor stiffness. These models help study matrix stiffness effects on cancer cell drug resistance and screen potential therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Matrix stiffness is a critical regulator of tumor cell behavior in the 3D tumor microenvironment.
- There is a need for in vitro tumor models that accurately replicate the mechanical properties of the native tumor microenvironment.
- Understanding the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create 3D decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) scaffolds with tunable stiffness.
- To mimic the matrix stiffness, components, and structure of human breast tumor tissue.
- To investigate the impact of matrix stiffness on the drug resistance of human breast cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of 3D DECM scaffolds with varying stiffness using decellularized tumor tissue.
- Characterization of scaffold components and structure to ensure ECM mimicry.
- Culturing human breast cancer cells on DECM scaffolds to assess drug resistance under different stiffness conditions.
- Analysis of lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression in tumor cells and its correlation with scaffold stiffness.
Main Results:
- DECM scaffolds with diverse stiffness were successfully generated, reflecting varying lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression levels in tumor cells.
- The fundamental structure and major components of the native ECM were preserved in the DECM scaffolds.
- Matrix stiffness significantly influenced the drug resistance of human breast cancer cells in the 3D model.
- The developed 3D tumor model demonstrated suitability for studying microenvironmental influences on tumor progression.
Conclusions:
- Tunable stiffness 3D DECM scaffolds can effectively mimic the mechanical properties of the breast tumor microenvironment.
- These engineered scaffolds provide a valuable platform for investigating the relationship between matrix stiffness and cancer drug resistance.
- The 3D tumor model holds potential for pre-clinical drug screening and understanding tumor progression mechanisms.
Keywords:
Breast tumor cellDecellularized scaffoldDrug resistanceExtracellular matrixLysyl oxidaseMatrix stiffness
