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Updated: May 4, 2026

Advanced Animal Model of Colorectal Metastasis in Liver: Imaging Techniques and Properties of Metastatic Clones
Published on: November 30, 2016
Protocol for generating liver metastasis microtissues to decipher cellular interactions between metastatic intestinal
Maria Lamprou1, Ana Krotenberg Garcia1, Saskia Jacoba Elisabeth Suijkerbuijk1
1Division of Developmental Biology, Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CH, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Cell competition is a quality control mechanism that promotes elimination of suboptimal cells relative to fitter neighbors. Cancer cells exploit these mechanisms for expansion, but the underlying molecular pathways remain elusive. Here, we present a protocol for generating matrix-free microtissues recapitulating cellular interactions between intestinal cancer and hepatocyte-like cells using microscopy or transcriptomics/proteomics. We describe steps for generating and differentiating liver progenitor organoids and microtissue formation. We then detail procedures for immunofluorescence staining, mounting microtissues, and sorting cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Krotenberg Garcia et al.1.
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