Enhanced Metastatic Potential in a 3D Tissue Scaffold toward a Comprehensive in Vitro Model for Breast Cancer Metastasis

Balachander, Gowri Manohari and Balaji, Sai A and Rangarajan, Annapoorni and Chatterjee, Kaushik (2015) Enhanced Metastatic Potential in a 3D Tissue Scaffold toward a Comprehensive in Vitro Model for Breast Cancer Metastasis. In: ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 7 (50). pp. 27810-27822.

PDF ACS_App_Mat_Int_7-50_27810_2015.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Metastasis is clinically the most challenging and lethal aspect of breast cancer. While animal-based xenograft models are expensive and time-consuming, conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems fail to mimic in vivo signaling. In this study we have developed a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold system that better mimics the topography and mechanical properties of the breast tumor, thus recreating the tumor microenvironment in vitro to study breast cancer metastasis. Porous poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds of modulus 7.0 +/- 0.5 kPa, comparable to that of breast tumor tissue were fabricated, on which MDA-MB-231 cells proliferated forming tumoroids. A comparative gene expression analysis revealed that cells growing in the scaffolds expressed increased levels of genes implicated in the three major events of metastasis, viz., initiation, progression, and the site-specific colonization compared to cells grown in conventional 2D tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) dishes. The cells cultured in scaffolds showed increased invasiveness and sphere efficiency in vitro and increased lung metastasis in vivo. A global gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of genes involved in cell cell and cell matrix interactions and tissue remodeling, cancer inflammation, and the PI3K/Akt, Wnt, NF-kappaB, and HIFI signaling pathways all of which are implicated in metastasis. Thus, culturing breast cancer cells in 3D scaffolds that mimic the in vivo tumor-like microenvironment enhances their metastatic potential. This system could serve as a comprehensive in vitro model to investigate the manifold mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
Publisher:	AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the AMER CHEMICAL SOC, 1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA
Keywords:	cancer; breast cancer; metastasis; mechanotransduction; tissue scaffolds
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2016 05:50
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2018 16:04
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/53206

Actions (login required)

View Item