Cellular arrangement of human breast cancer cell lines determines hemostatic parameters

Two in vitro models are compared to investigate whether cellular configuration or composition of the matrix in which the cells are cultured influences growth and/or prognostic parameters. T47D, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast cancer cell lines were cultured on two different matrices (agarose and collagen). Growth curves, biological markers (Ki-67, p53 and bcl-2) and the expression of hemostatic parameters were studied. The tested hemostatic parameters were urokinase-type plasminogen activator, tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor as fibrinolytic parameters and von Willbrand factor, tissue factor, antithrombin III, factor X and factor Xa as coagulation parameters. We found that T47D and MCF-7 formed spheroids in both matrices. Hs578T did not form spheroids; instead, the cells remained single cells in the agarose matrix and grew invasively through the collagen matrix. Expression of the biological markers was similar for spheroids and monolayers. In contrast, a clear difference in expression of hemostatic factors by spheroids and monolayers was found.