Aligned Collagen-CNT Nanofibrils and the Modulation Effect on Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Biology

Background:

• Fibrillar collagen is a key extracellular matrix (ECM) component.
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer unique properties for biocomposite development.
• COL-CNT interactions with cells are crucial for tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of COL-CNT matrices on SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell interactions.
• To analyze how COL-CNT influences cell-matrix interactions, polarization, and migration.
• To assess the effect of COL-CNT on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug response.

Main Methods:

• Generation of unidirectionally aligned collagen and COL-CNT nanofibrils.
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for structural and adhesion analysis.
• Protein and gene expression analysis to study cellular changes.

Main Results:

• COL-CNT matrices enhanced SKOV3 cell polarization by regulating integrin-mediated interactions, cytoskeleton, and migration.
• Both collagen and COL-CNT induced EMT, with COL-CNT showing a higher transformation level.
• Induced cells exhibited reduced CD44, increased MMP2, and sensitivity to gemcitabine.

Conclusions:

• COL-CNT matrices can induce transdifferentiation of epithelial cancer cells into less aggressive phenotypes.
• This transdifferentiation reduces tumor metastasis and chemoresistance potential.
• Controlled use of CNTs in collagen matrices may be safe for cancer patients in therapeutic applications.