Related Experiment Videos
Mitochondrial function in oncogene-transfected rat fibroblasts isolated from multicellular spheroids
L A Kunz-Schughart1, R C Habbersett, J P Freyer
1Life Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico 87545, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Mitochondrial function decreases from the periphery to the center of multicellular spheroids, indicating quiescent cells stably reduce energy metabolism. This is not due to nutrient availability but likely a survival strategy.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Multicellular spheroids model tumor microenvironments.
- Energy metabolism alterations are crucial in cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate mitochondrial function changes in cells from different spheroid locations.
- Determine if reduced mitochondrial function is linked to quiescence or nutrient deprivation.
Main Methods:
- Used two mitochondrion-specific fluorochromes: 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO) and rhodamine 123 (Rh123).
- Employed selective dissociation to isolate cells from spheroid periphery to core.
- Analyzed cell parameters including volume via multilaser-multiparameter flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Rh123 uptake decreased from spheroid periphery to core, indicating reduced mitochondrial function.
- NAO staining showed no change in mitochondrial mass per cell volume.
- Downregulation of mitochondrial function correlated with cell quiescence, not transient nutrient effects.
Conclusions:
- Quiescent cells in inner spheroid layers stably reduce mitochondrial function.
- This reduction may be a compensatory mechanism for lower nutrient supply or energy demand.
- Findings support a general phenomenon in multicellular spheroids and cancer biology.