Questa ricerca è stata effettuata presso la Keck School of Medicine, University of California, Stati Uniti d&#39;America, e la University College di Londra, Regno Unito. KL è finanziato dal National Institute of Health sovvenzione 5 U19 CA148112-02. BG è stato finanziato da una borsa di studio del progetto dalla carità oncologia ginecologica Eve Appeal (Regno Unito). Parte di questo lavoro svolto in UCLH / UCL è stato in parte il finanziamento da parte del Dipartimento del regime di Salute di ricerca biomedica NIHR finanziamento Centre.

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	<li>Jelovac, D., Armstrong, D. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+progress+in+the+diagnosis+and+treatment+of+ovarian+cancer.">Recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.</a> CA Cancer J. Clin. , (2011).</li><li>Office for National Statistics. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Cancer Statistics registrations: registrations of cancer diagnosed in 2008. , (2011).</li><li>K&#246;bel, M., Kalloger, S. E., Santos, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tumor+type+and+substage+predict+survival+in+stage+I+and+II+ovarian+carcinoma:+insights+and+implications.">Tumor type and substage predict survival in stage I and II ovarian carcinoma: insights and implications.</a> Gynecol. Oncol. 116, 50-56 (2010).</li><li>K&#246;bel, M., Kalloger, S. E., Boyd, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+carcinoma+subtypes+are+different+diseases:+implications+for+biomarker+studies.">Ovarian carcinoma subtypes are different diseases: implications for biomarker studies.</a> PLoS Med. 5, e232 (2008).</li><li>Smith, L. H., Morris, C. R., Yasmeen, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+cancer:+can+we+make+the+clinical+diagnosis+earlier.">Ovarian cancer: can we make the clinical diagnosis earlier.</a> Cancer. 104, 1398-1407 (2005).</li><li>Aviv, A., Hunt, S. C., Lin, J., Cao, X., Kimura, M., Blackburn, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impartial+comparative+analysis+of+measurement+of+leukocyte+telomere+length/DNA+content+by+Southern+blots+and+qPCR.">Impartial comparative analysis of measurement of leukocyte telomere length/DNA content by Southern blots and qPCR.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 39, e134 (2011).</li><li>Kim, N. W., Wu, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advances+in+quantification+and+characterization+of+telomerase+activity+by+the+telomeric+repeat+amplification+protocol+(TRAP.">Advances in quantification and characterization of telomerase activity by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 2595-2597 (1997).</li><li>Lawrenson, K., Grun, B., Benjamin, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Senescent+fibroblasts+promote+neoplastic+transformation+of+partially+transformed+ovarian+epithelial+cells+in+a+three-dimensional+model+of+early+stage+ovarian+cancer.">Senescent fibroblasts promote neoplastic transformation of partially transformed ovarian epithelial cells in a three-dimensional model of early stage ovarian cancer.</a> Neoplasia. 12, 317-325 (2010).</li><li>Lawrenson, K., Benjamin, E., Turmaine, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+three-dimensional+modelling+of+human+ovarian+surface+epithelial+cells.">In vitro three-dimensional modelling of human ovarian surface epithelial cells.</a> Cell Prolif. 42, 385-393 (2009).</li><li>Lawrenson, K., Sproul, D., Grun, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modelling+genetic+and+clinical+heterogeneity+in+epithelial+ovarian+cancers.">Modelling genetic and clinical heterogeneity in epithelial ovarian cancers.</a> Carcinogenesis. 32, 1540-1549 (2011).</li><li>Grun, B., Benjamin, E., Sinclair, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three-dimensional+in+vitro+cell+biology+models+of+ovarian+and+endometrial+cancer.">Three-dimensional in vitro cell biology models of ovarian and endometrial cancer.</a> Cell Prolif. 42, 219-228 (2009).</li><li>Zietarska, M., Maugard, C. M., Filali-Mouhim, A., Alam-Fahmy, M., Tonin, P. N., Provencher, D. M., Mes-Masson, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+description+of+a+3D+in+vitro+model+for+the+study+of+epithelial+ovarian+cancer+(EOC.">Molecular description of a 3D in vitro model for the study of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC.</a> Mol. Carcinog. 46, 872-885 (2007).</li><li>Shield, K., Ackland, M. L., Ahmed, N., Rice, G. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multicellular+spheroids+in+ovarian+cancer+metastases:+Biology+and+pathology.">Multicellular spheroids in ovarian cancer metastases: Biology and pathology.</a> Gynecol Oncol. 113, 143-148 (2009).</li><li>Dafou, D., Grun, B., Sinclair, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microcell-mediated+chromosome+transfer+identifies+EPB41L3+as+a+functional+suppressor+of+epithelial+ovarian+cancers.">Microcell-mediated chromosome transfer identifies EPB41L3 as a functional suppressor of epithelial ovarian cancers.</a> Neoplasia. 12, 579-589 (2010).</li><li>Levanon, K., Crum, C., Drapkin, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+insights+into+the+pathogenesis+of+serous+ovarian+cancer+and+its+clinical+impact.">New insights into the pathogenesis of serous ovarian cancer and its clinical impact.</a> J. Clin. Oncol. 26, 5284-5293 (2008).</li><li>Kurman, R. J., Shih, I. e. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+pathogenesis+and+extraovarian+origin+of+epithelial+ovarian+cancer--shifting+the+paradigm.">Molecular pathogenesis and extraovarian origin of epithelial ovarian cancer--shifting the paradigm.</a> Hum. Pathol. 42, 918-931 (2011).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarati.

La biologia di stadio precoce del cancro ovarico epiteliale (EOC) è poco conosciuta. Forse uno dei principali ostacoli in questo campo per molti anni è stata la mancanza di comprensione delle origini tessuto specifiche che la malattia, e del significato del ruolo del microambiente nello sviluppo EOC. Nel corso degli ultimi anni, è diventato chiaro che EOC è una malattia eterogenea con più sottotipi distinti histophathological, probabilmente con differenti origini cellulari per diversi sottotipi. Ad esempio, i dati ...

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Reagente </td><td> Fornitore </td><td> Numero di catalogo </td></tr><tr><td> PolyHEMA, adatto per coltura cellulare </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> P3932 </td></tr><tr><td> Biologia molecolare etanolo grado </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> E7023 </td></tr><tr><td> Acqua sterile per colture cellulari </td><td> VWR </td><td> 12001-356 </td></tr><tr><td> MCDB105 </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> M6395 </td></tr><tr><td> Medium 199 </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> M2154 </td></tr><tr><td> Hyclone siero fetale bovino </td><td> Thermo Scientific </td><td> SH30088.03 </td></tr><tr> &lt;td&gt; Gentamicina </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> G1397 </td></tr><tr><td> Amfotericina B </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> A2942 </td></tr><tr><td> pBABE-igro-hTERT </td><td> Addgene </td><td> 1773 </td></tr><tr><td> PBS </td><td> VWR </td><td> 12001-766 </td></tr><tr><td> 0,25% tripsina-EDTA </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> 25200-072 </td></tr><tr><td> Cella filtro (40 o 70 micron) </td><td> VWR </td><td> 21008-949 21008-952 </td></tr><tr><td> Anti-fibroblasti proteina anticorpi di superficie, clone 1B10 </td><td> Sigma </td><td> F4771 </td></tr><tr><td> Anti-pan-citocheratina anticorpo (C11) </td><td> Santa Cruz </td><td> sc-8018 </td></tr><tr><td> Polibrene (hexadimethrine bromuro) </td><td> Sigma </td><td> 107689 </td></tr><tr><td> TeloTAGGG telomerasi PCR ELISA PLUS </td><td> Roche </td><td> 12013789001 </td></tr><tr><td> TeloTAGGG Assay Lunghezza dei telomeri </td><td> Roche </td><td> 12209136001 </td></tr></tbody></table> Reagenti Tabella 1. E apparecchiature di cui al presente studio.

heterotypic three-dimensional in vitro modeling of stromal-epithelial interactions during ovarian cancer initiation and progression

Tumori ovarici epiteliali (EOCS) sono la principale causa di morte per neoplasia ginecologica nelle società occidentali. Nonostante i progressi nei trattamenti chirurgici e il miglioramento delle chemioterapie a base di platino, si è registrato pochi miglioramenti nei tassi di sopravvivenza EOC per più di quattro decenni 1,2. Mentre stadio I tumori sono a 5 anni tasso di sopravvivenza&gt; 85%, i tassi di sopravvivenza per la fase III / IV della malattia sono &lt;40%. Pertanto, gli alti tassi di mortalità per tumore ovarico epiteliale potrebbe essere significativamente ridotta se i tumori sono stati rilevati in precedenza, più trattabili, fasi 3-5. Allo stato attuale, la base molecolare genetica e biologica della malattia in stadio precoce sviluppo è poco conosciuta. Più in particolare, si sa poco circa il ruolo del microambiente tumorale durante l&#39;inizio, ma i fattori di rischio noti per EOCS (ad esempio età e parità) suggeriscono che il microambiente svolge un ruolo chiave nella genesi precoce di EOCS. Abbiamo quindi sviluppato modelli eterotipiche tridimensionalisia dell&#39;ovaio normale e di tumori ovarici primi stadi. Per l&#39;ovaio normale, abbiamo co-coltura superficie epiteliale ovarico normale (Iose) e normale fibroblasti stromale (INOF) cellule, immortalata da trasduzione retrovrial della subunità catalitica della telomerasi holoenzyme umana (hTERT) per estendere la durata di vita di queste cellule in coltura. Per modellare le prime fasi di trasformazione cellulare ovarico epiteliale, sovraespressione del CMYC oncogene nelle cellule Iose, di nuovo co-coltura con cellule INOF. Questi modelli eterotipiche sono stati utilizzati per studiare gli effetti di invecchiamento e senescenza sulla trasformazione e l&#39;invasione delle cellule epiteliali. Qui descriviamo le fasi metodologiche in sviluppo di questi modello tridimensionale; queste metodologie non sono specifici per lo sviluppo di ovaio normale e tessuti di cancro ovarico, e potrebbe essere usato per studiare tipi di tessuto in cui le interazioni cellule stromali ed epiteliali sono un fondamentale aspetto del tessuto e di manutenzioneSease sviluppo.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression at JoVE.com

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Descriviamo metodologie per la creazione di<em&gt; In vitro</em&gt; Eterotipiche modelli tridimensionali comprendenti fibroblasti ovariche e di superficie ovarica normale o cellule di cancro ovarico epiteliale. Discutiamo l&#39;uso di questi modelli per studiare stroma-epiteliali interazioni che si verificano durante lo sviluppo del cancro ovarico.

Eterotipica tridimensionale<em&gt; In Vitro</emModellazione&gt; di stromale-epiteliali interazioni Durante iniziazione e la progressione del cancro ovarico

Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancy in Western societies. Despite advances in surgical ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

15.0K Views.  University of Southern California. Descriviamo metodologie per la creazione di In vitro Eterotipiche modelli tridimensionali comprendenti fibroblasti ovariche e di superficie ovarica normale o cellule di cancro ovarico epiteliale. Discutiamo l'uso di questi modelli per studiare stroma-epiteliali interazioni che si verificano durante lo sviluppo del cancro ovarico.

Video: Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

MAME Models for 4D Live-cell Imaging of Tumor: Microenvironment Interactions that Impact Malignant Progression

We have developed 3D coculture models, which we term MAME (mammary architecture and microenvironment engineering), and used them for live-cell imaging in real-time of cell:cell interactions. Our overall goal was to develop models that recapitulate the architecture of preinvasive breast lesions to study their progression to an invasive phenotype. Specifically, we developed models to analyze interactions among pre-malignant breast epithelial cell variants and other cell types of the tumor microenvironment that have been implicated in enhancing or reducing the progression of preinvasive breast epithelial cells to invasive ductal carcinomas. Other cell types studied to date are myoepithelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages and blood and lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells. In addition to the MAME models, which are designed to recapitulate the cellular interactions within the breast during cancer progression, we have developed comparable models for the progression of prostate cancers. 
Here we illustrate the procedures for establishing the 3D cocultures along with the use of live-cell imaging and a functional proteolysis assay to follow the transition of cocultures of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) cells and fibroblasts to an invasive phenotype over time, in this case over twenty-three days in culture. The MAME cocultures consist of multiple layers. Fibroblasts are embedded in the bottom layer of type I collagen. On that is placed a layer of reconstituted basement membrane (rBM) on which DCIS cells are seeded. A final top layer of 2% rBM is included and replenished with every change of media. To image proteolysis associated with the progression to an invasive phenotype, we use dye-quenched (DQ) fluorescent matrix proteins (DQ-collagen I mixed with the layer of collagen I and DQ-collagen IV mixed with the middle layer of rBM) and observe live cultures using confocal microscopy. Optical sections are captured, processed and reconstructed in 3D with Volocity visualization software. Over the course of 23 days in MAME cocultures, the DCIS cells proliferate and coalesce into large invasive structures. Fibroblasts migrate and become incorporated into these invasive structures. Fluorescent proteolytic fragments of the collagens are found in association with the surface of DCIS structures, intracellularly, and also dispersed throughout the surrounding matrix. Drugs that target proteolytic, chemokine/cytokine and kinase pathways or modifications in the cellular composition of the cocultures can reduce the invasiveness, suggesting that MAME models can be used as preclinical screens for novel therapeutic approaches.

We have developed 3D coculture models for live-cell imaging in real-time of interactions among breast tumor cells and other cells in their microenvironment that impact progression to an invasive phenotype. These models can serve as preclinical screens for drugs to target paracrine-induced proteolytic, chemokine/cytokine and kinase pathways implicated in invasiveness.

Modelli per MAME 4D Live-Imaging cellule di tumore: Interazioni microambiente che Impact progressione maligna

We have developed 3D coculture models, which we term MAME (mammary architecture and microenvironment engineering), and used them for live-cell imaging in ...

Ricerca

Medicina

In vitro Mesothelial Clearance Assay that Models the Early Steps of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States1. Despite a positive initial response to therapies, 70 to 90 percent of women with ovarian cancer develop new metastases, and the recurrence is often fatal2. It is, therefore, necessary to understand how secondary metastases arise in order to develop better treatments for intermediate and late stage ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer metastasis occurs when malignant cells detach from the primary tumor site and disseminate throughout the peritoneal cavity. The disseminated cells can form multicellular clusters, or spheroids, that will either remain unattached, or implant onto organs within the peritoneal cavity3 (Figure 1, Movie 1). 
All of the organs within the peritoneal cavity are lined with a single, continuous, layer of mesothelial cells4-6 (Figure 2). However, mesothelial cells are absent from underneath peritoneal tumor masses, as revealed by electron micrograph studies of excised human tumor tissue sections3,5-7 (Figure 2). This suggests that mesothelial cells are excluded from underneath the tumor mass by an unknown process. 
Previous in vitro experiments demonstrated that primary ovarian cancer cells attach more efficiently to extracellular matrix than to mesothelial cells8, and more recent studies showed that primary peritoneal mesothelial cells actually provide a barrier to ovarian cancer cell adhesion and invasion (as compared to adhesion and invasion on substrates that were not covered with mesothelial cells)9,10. This would suggest that mesothelial cells act as a barrier against ovarian cancer metastasis. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which ovarian cancer cells breach this barrier, and exclude the mesothelium have, until recently, remained unknown. 
Here we describe the methodology for an in vitro assay that models the interaction between ovarian cancer cell spheroids and mesothelial cells in vivo (Figure 3, Movie 2). Our protocol was adapted from previously described methods for analyzing ovarian tumor cell interactions with mesothelial monolayers8-16, and was first described in a report showing that ovarian tumor cells utilize an integrin &#x2013;dependent activation of myosin and traction force to promote the exclusion of the mesothelial cells from under a tumor spheroid17. This model takes advantage of time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to monitor the two cell populations in real time, providing spatial and temporal information on the interaction. The ovarian cancer cells express red fluorescent protein (RFP) while the mesothelial cells express green fluorescent protein (GFP). RFP-expressing ovarian cancer cell spheroids attach to the GFP-expressing mesothelial monolayer. The spheroids spread, invade, and force the mesothelial cells aside creating a hole in the monolayer. This hole is visualized as the negative space (black) in the GFP image. The area of the hole can then be measured to quantitatively analyze differences in clearance activity between control and experimental populations of ovarian cancer and/ or mesothelial cells. This assay requires only a small number of ovarian cancer cells (100 cells per spheroid X 20-30 spheroids per condition), so it is feasible to perform this assay using precious primary tumor cell samples. Furthermore, this assay can be easily adapted for high throughput screening.

In vitro Mesothelial Clearance Assay that Models the Early Steps of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

The mesothelial clearance assay described here takes advantage of fluorescently labeled cells and time-lapse video microscopy to visualize and quantitatively measure the interactions of ovarian cancer multicellular spheroids and mesothelial cell monolayers. This assay models the early steps of ovarian cancer metastasis.

In vitro test Clearance mesoteliali che modella i primi passi di metastasi del cancro ovarico

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States1. Despite a positive initial response to therapies, 70 to 90 ...

Bioluminescent Orthotopic Model of Pancreatic Cancer Progression

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor five-year survival rate of 4-6%. New therapeutic options are critically needed and depend on improved understanding of pancreatic cancer biology. To better understand the interaction of cancer cells with the pancreatic microenvironment, we demonstrate an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer that permits non-invasive monitoring of cancer progression. Luciferase-tagged pancreatic cancer cells are resuspended in Matrigel and delivered into the pancreatic tail during laparotomy. Matrigel solidifies at body temperature to prevent leakage of cancer cells during injection. Primary tumor growth and metastasis to distant organs are monitored following injection of the luciferase substrate luciferin, using in vivo imaging of bioluminescence emission from the cancer cells. In vivo imaging also may be used to track primary tumor recurrence after resection. This orthotopic model is suited to both syngeneic and xenograft models and may be used in pre-clinical trials to investigate the impact of novel anti-cancer therapeutics on the growth of the primary pancreatic tumor and metastasis.

Improved understanding of pancreatic cancer biology is critically needed to enable the development of better therapeutic options to treat pancreatic cancer. To address this need, we demonstrate an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer that permits non-invasive monitoring of cancer progression using in vivo bioluminescence imaging.

Bioluminescente modello ortotopico di cancro al pancreas Progressione

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor five-year survival rate of 4-6%.  New therapeutic options are critically needed and depend on improved ...

A Three-dimensional Tissue Culture Model to Study Primary Human Bone Marrow and its Malignancies

Tissue culture has been an invaluable tool to study many aspects of cell function, from normal development to disease. Conventional cell culture methods rely on the ability of cells either to attach to a solid substratum of a tissue culture dish or to grow in suspension in liquid medium. Multiple immortal cell lines have been created and grown using such approaches, however, these methods frequently fail when primary cells need to be grown ex vivo. Such failure has been attributed to the absence of the appropriate extracellular matrix components of the tissue microenvironment from the standard systems where tissue culture plastic is used as a surface for cell growth. Extracellular matrix is an integral component of the tissue microenvironment and its presence is crucial for the maintenance of physiological functions such as cell polarization, survival, and proliferation. Here we present a 3-dimensional tissue culture method where primary bone marrow cells are grown in extracellular matrix formulated to recapitulate the microenvironment of the human bone (rBM system). Embedded in the extracellular matrix, cells are supplied with nutrients through the medium supplemented with human plasma, thus providing a comprehensive system where cell survival and proliferation can be sustained for up to 30 days while maintaining the cellular composition of the primary tissue. Using the rBM system we have successfully grown primary bone marrow cells from normal donors and patients with amyloidosis, and various hematological malignancies. The rBM system allows for direct, in-matrix real time visualization of the cell behavior and evaluation of preclinical efficacy of novel therapeutics. Moreover, cells can be isolated from the rBM and subsequently used for in vivo transplantation, cell sorting, flow cytometry, and nucleic acid and protein analysis. Taken together, the rBM method provides a reliable system for the growth of primary bone marrow cells under physiological conditions.

In standard culture methods cells are taken out of their physiological environment and grown on the plastic surface of a dish. To study the behavior of primary human bone marrow cells we created a 3-D culture system where cells are grown under conditions recapitulating the native microenvironment of the tissue.

A Three-dimensional Tissue Culture modello per studiare Primario Osso Osseo e le sue Malignità

Tissue culture has been an invaluable tool to study many aspects of cell function, from normal development to disease. Conventional cell culture methods ...

Three Dimensional Cultures: A Tool To Study Normal Acinar Architecture vs. Malignant Transformation Of Breast Cells

Invasive breast carcinomas are a group of malignant epithelial tumors characterized by the invasion of adjacent tissues and propensity to metastasize. The interplay of signals between cancer cells and their microenvironment exerts a powerful influence on breast cancer growth and biological behavior1. However, most of these signals from the extracellular matrix are lost or their relevance is understudied when cells are grown in two dimensional culture (2D) as a monolayer. In recent years, three dimensional (3D) culture on a reconstituted basement membrane has emerged as a method of choice to recapitulate the tissue architecture of benign and malignant breast cells. Cells grown in 3D retain the important cues from the extracellular matrix and provide a physiologically relevant ex&#160;vivo system2,3. Of note, there is growing evidence suggesting that cells behave differently when grown in 3D as compared to 2D4. 3D culture can be effectively used as a means to differentiate the malignant phenotype from the benign breast phenotype and for underpinning the cellular and molecular signaling involved3. One of the distinguishing characteristics of benign epithelial cells is that they are polarized so that the apical cytoplasm is towards the lumen and the basal cytoplasm rests on the basement membrane. This apico-basal polarity is lost in invasive breast carcinomas, which are characterized by cellular disorganization and formation of anastomosing and branching tubules that haphazardly infiltrates the surrounding stroma. These histopathological differences between benign gland and invasive carcinoma can be reproduced in 3D6,7. Using the appropriate read-outs like the quantitation of single round acinar structures, or differential expression of validated molecular markers for cell proliferation, polarity and apoptosis in combination with other molecular and cell biology techniques, 3D culture can provide an important tool to better understand the cellular changes during malignant transformation and for delineating the responsible signaling.

Three dimensional culture of mammary epithelial cells on a reconstituted basement membrane is a useful method to recapitulate the in vivo architecture of the benign breast, and to differentiate the malignant phenotype from the benign breast phenotype. Importantly, this system can be applied to study invasive carcinomas in other tissues.

Tre Culture dimensionali: strumento per studiare normale acinose Architettura vs trasformazione maligna delle cellule mammarie

Invasive breast carcinomas are a group of malignant epithelial tumors characterized by the invasion of adjacent tissues and propensity to metastasize. The ...

Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional (3D) Model

It is now well known that the cellular and tissue microenvironment are critical regulators influencing tumor initiation and progression. Moreover, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been demonstrated to be a critical regulator of cell behavior in culture and homeostasis in vivo. The current approach of culturing cells on two-dimensional (2D), plastic surfaces results in the disturbance and loss of complex interactions between cells and their microenvironment. Through the use of three-dimensional (3D) culture assays, the conditions for cell-microenvironment interaction are established resembling the in vivo microenvironment. This article provides a detailed methodology to grow breast cancer cells in a 3D basement membrane protein matrix, exemplifying the potential of 3D culture in the assessment of cell invasion into the surrounding environment. In addition, we discuss how these 3D assays have the potential to examine the loss of signaling molecules that regulate epithelial morphology by immunostaining procedures. These studies aid to identify important mechanistic details into the processes regulating invasion, required for the spread of breast cancer.

Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional 3D Model

This article provides detailed methodologies for the use of three-dimensional (3D) assays to quantify breast cancer cell invasion. Specifically, we discuss the procedures required to set up such assays, quantification, and data analysis, as well as methods to examine the loss of membrane integrity that occurs when cells invade.

Quantificazione del cancro al seno Cellula Invasività Utilizzando una tridimensionale (3D) Modello

It is now well known that the cellular and tissue microenvironment are critical regulators influencing tumor initiation and progression. Moreover, the ...

In vitro Enrichment of Ovarian Cancer Tumor-initiating Cells

Evidence suggests that small subpopulations of tumor cells maintain a unique self-renewing and differentiation capacity and may be responsible for tumor initiation and/or relapse. Clarifying the mechanisms by which these tumor-initiating cells (TICs) support tumor formation and progression could lead to the development of clinically favorable therapies. Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous and highly recurrent disease. Recent studies suggest TICs may play an important role in disease biology. We have identified culture conditions that enrich for TICs from ovarian cancer cell lines. Growing either adherent cells or non-adherent &#8216;floater&#8217; cells in a low attachment plate with serum free media in the presence of growth factors supports the propagation of ovarian cancer TICs with stem cell markers (CD133 and ALDH activity) and increased tumorigenicity without the need to physically separate the TICs from other cell types within the culture. Although the presence of floater cells is not common for all cell lines, this population of cells with innate low adherence may have high tumorigenic potential.Compared to adherent cells grown in the presence of serum, TICs readily form spheres, are significantly more tumorigenic in mice, and express putative stem cell markers. The conditions are easy to establish in a timely manner and can be used to study signaling pathways important for maintaining stem characteristics, and to identify drugs or combinations of drugs targeting TICs. The culture conditions described herein are applicable for a variety of ovarian cancer cells of epithelial origin and will be critical in providing new information about the role of TICs in tumor initiation, progression, and relapse.

In vitro Enrichment of Ovarian Cancer Tumor-initiating Cells

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) may represent a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer, a highly recurrent and fatal disease. We present a protocol for culture conditions that enrich for this highly tumorigenic population of cells.

In Arricchimento vitro di Ovarian Cancer Cells-tumorali avvio

Evidence suggests that small subpopulations of tumor cells maintain a unique self-renewing and differentiation capacity and may be responsible for tumor ...

Three-Dimensional (3D) Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay

Invasion of surrounding normal tissues is generally considered to be a key hallmark of malignant (as opposed to benign) tumors. For some cancers in particular (e.g., brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck &#8211; SCCHN) it is a cause of severe morbidity and can be life-threatening even in the absence of distant metastases. In addition, cancers which have relapsed following treatment unfortunately often present with a more aggressive phenotype. Therefore, there is an opportunity to target the process of invasion to provide novel therapies that could be complementary to standard anti-proliferative agents. Until now, this strategy has been hampered by the lack of robust, reproducible assays suitable for a detailed analysis of invasion and for drug screening. Here we provide a simple micro-plate method (based on uniform, self-assembling 3D tumor spheroids) which has great potential for such studies. We exemplify the assay platform using a human glioblastoma cell line and also an SCCHN model where the development of resistance against targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors is associated with enhanced matrix-invasive potential. We also provide two alternative methods of semi-automated quantification: one using an imaging cytometer and a second which simply requires standard microscopy and image capture with digital image analysis.

Three-Dimensional 3D Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay

Invasion of surrounding normal tissues is a defining characteristic of malignant tumors. We provide here a simple, semi-automated micro-plate assay of invasion into a natural 3D biomatrix that has been exemplified with a number of models of advanced human cancers.

Tridimensionale (3D) Tumore Spheroid Invasion Assay

Invasion of surrounding normal tissues is generally considered to be a key hallmark of malignant (as opposed to benign) tumors. For some cancers in ...

Modeling the Early Steps of Ovarian Cancer Dissemination in an Organotypic Culture of the Human Peritoneal Cavity

The pattern of ovarian cancer metastasis is markedly different from that of most other epithelial tumors, because it rarely spreads hematogenously. Instead, ovarian cancer cells exfoliated from the primary tumor are carried by peritoneal fluid to metastatic sites within the peritoneal cavity. These sites, most notably the abdominal peritoneum and omentum, are organs covered by a mesothelium-lined surface. To investigate the processes of ovarian cancer dissemination, we assembled a complex three-dimensional culture system that reconstructs the lining of the peritoneal cavity in vitro. Primary human fibroblasts and mesothelial cells were isolated from human omentum. The fibroblasts were then mixed with extracellular matrix and covered with a layer of the primary human mesothelial cells to mimic the peritoneal and omental surfaces encountered by metastasizing ovarian cancer cells. The resulting organotypic model is, as shown, used to examine the early steps of ovarian cancer dissemination, including cancer cell adhesion, invasion, and proliferation. This model has been used in a number of studies to investigate the role of the microenvironment (cellular and acellular) in early ovarian cancer dissemination. It has also been successfully adapted to high throughput screening and used to identify and test inhibitors of ovarian cancer metastasis.

Here, we present a protocol to construct a three-dimensional in vitro model of the lining of the peritoneal cavity, composed of primary human mesothelial cells and fibroblasts layered with extracellular matrix, as a tool to investigate ovarian cancer cell adhesion, invasion, and proliferation.

Modellazione Piazza precoci di cancro ovarico Diffusione in una cultura Organotipica della Cavità peritoneale umano

The pattern of ovarian cancer metastasis is markedly different from that of most other epithelial tumors, because it rarely spreads hematogenously. ...

Modeling Chemotherapy Resistant Leukemia In Vitro

It is well established that the bone marrow microenvironment provides a unique site of sanctuary for hematopoietic diseases that both initiate and progress in this site. The model presented in the current report utilizes human primary bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts as two representative cell types from the marrow niche that influence tumor cell phenotype. The in vitro co-culture conditions described for human leukemic cells with these primary niche components support the generation of a chemoresistant subpopulation of tumor cells that can be efficiently recovered from culture for analysis by diverse techniques. A strict feeding schedule to prevent nutrient fluxes followed by gel type 10 cross-linked dextran (G10) particles recovery of the population of tumor cells that have migrated beneath the adherent bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) or osteoblasts (OB) generating a "phase dim" (PD) population of tumor cells, provides a consistent source of purified therapy resistant leukemic cells. This clinically relevant population of tumor cells can be evaluated by standard methods to investigate apoptotic, metabolic, and cell cycle regulatory pathways as well as providing a more rigorous target in which to test novel therapeutic strategies prior to pre-clinical investigations targeted at minimal residual disease.

Modeling Chemotherapy Resistant Leukemia In Vitro

The current report summarizes a protocol that can be utilized to model the influence of the bone marrow microenvironment niche on leukemic cells with emphasis placed on enrichment of the most chemoresistant subpopulation.