Name: engineering three-dimensional epithelial tissues embedded within extracellular matrix
Uploaded: 2016-07-10T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix at JoVE.com

This work was supported in part by grants from the NIH (HL118532, HL120142, CA187692), the David &#38; Lucile Packard Foundation, the Camille &#38; Henry Dreyfus Foundation, and the Burroughs Welcome Fund. A.S.P. was supported in part by a Charlotte Elizabeth Procter Honorific Fellowship.

1. Preparation of Solutions
<ol>
	<li>To prepare a 5 mg/ml solution of insulin, dilute the powdered insulin stock with 5 mM hydrochloric acid (HCl) in dH2O (500 mg insulin in 100 ml solvent). Prepare 100 ml solvent by adding 50 &#956;l of concentrated HCl to 100 ml distilled water (dH2O).</li>
	<li>To make a 1x solution of PBS, dilute the 10x phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) stock solution to 1x with dH2O under sterile conditions.</li>
	<li>Prepare the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastom...

<ol>
	<li>Affolter, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tube+or+not+tube:+remodeling+epithelial+tissues+by+branching+morphogenesis.">Tube or not tube: remodeling epithelial tissues by branching morphogenesis.</a> Dev Cell. 4 (1), 11-18 (2003).</li><li>Zhu, W., Nelson, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PI3K+signaling+in+the+regulation+of+branching+morphogenesis.">PI3K signaling in the regulation of branching morphogenesis.</a> Biosystems. 109 (3), 403-411 (2012).</li><li>Sternlicht, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Key+stages+in+mammary+gland+development:+the+cues+that+regulate+ductal+branching+morphogenesis.">Key stages in mammary gland development: the cues that regulate ductal branching morphogenesis.</a> Breast Cancer Res. 8 (1), 201 (2006).</li><li>Fata, J. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+MAPK(ERK-1,2)+pathway+integrates+distinct+and+antagonistic+signals+from+TGFalpha+and+FGF7+in+morphogenesis+of+mouse+mammary+epithelium.">The MAPK(ERK-1,2) pathway integrates distinct and antagonistic signals from TGFalpha and FGF7 in morphogenesis of mouse mammary epithelium.</a> Dev Biol. 306 (1), 193-207 (2007).</li><li>Ip, M. M., Darcy, K. M. <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+mammary+primary+culture+model+systems.">Three-dimensional mammary primary culture model systems.</a> J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 1 (1), 91-110 (1996).</li><li>Lo, A. T., Mori, H., Mott, J., Bissell, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Constructing+three-dimensional+models+to+study+mammary+gland+branching+morphogenesis+and+functional+differentiation.">Constructing three-dimensional models to study mammary gland branching morphogenesis and functional differentiation.</a> J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 17 (2), 103-110 (2012).</li><li>Nelson, C. M., Vanduijn, M. M., Inman, J. L., Fletcher, D. A., Bissell, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tissue+geometry+determines+sites+of+mammary+branching+morphogenesis+in+organotypic+cultures.">Tissue geometry determines sites of mammary branching morphogenesis in organotypic cultures.</a> Science. 314 (5797), 298-300 (2006).</li><li>Gjorevski, N., Nelson, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endogenous+patterns+of+mechanical+stress+are+required+for+branching+morphogenesis.">Endogenous patterns of mechanical stress are required for branching morphogenesis.</a> Integr Biol (Camb). 2 (9), 424-434 (2010).</li><li>Gjorevski, N., Nelson, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mapping+of+mechanical+strains+and+stresses+around+quiescent+engineered+three-dimensional+epithelial+tissues.">Mapping of mechanical strains and stresses around quiescent engineered three-dimensional epithelial tissues.</a> Biophys J. 103 (1), 152-162 (2012).</li><li>Gjorevski, N., Piotrowski, A. S., Varner, V. D., Nelson, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+tensile+forces+drive+collective+cell+migration+through+three-dimensional+extracellular+matrices.">Dynamic tensile forces drive collective cell migration through three-dimensional extracellular matrices.</a> Sci Rep. 5, 11458 (2015).</li><li>Zhu, W., Nelson, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PI3K+regulates+branch+initiation+and+extension+of+cultured+mammary+epithelia+via+Akt+and+Rac1+respectively.">PI3K regulates branch initiation and extension of cultured mammary epithelia via Akt and Rac1 respectively.</a> Dev Biol. 379 (2), 235-245 (2013).</li><li>Barcellos-Hoff, M. H., Aggeler, J., Ram, T. G., Bissell, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+differentiation+and+alveolar+morphogenesis+of+primary+mammary+cultures+on+reconstituted+basement+membrane.">Functional differentiation and alveolar morphogenesis of primary mammary cultures on reconstituted basement membrane.</a> Development. 105 (2), 223-235 (1989).</li><li>Hirai, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epimorphin+functions+as+a+key+morphoregulator+for+mammary+epithelial+cells.">Epimorphin functions as a key morphoregulator for mammary epithelial cells.</a> J Cell Biol. 140 (1), 159-169 (1998).</li><li>Pavlovich, A. L., Manivannan, S., Nelson, C. 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The protocol described above outlines a method to produce identical epithelial tissues of pre-defined shape, enabling spatial control of the mechanical stress experienced by cells in the tissue. An elastomeric mold is used to create cavities in type I collagen that are then filled with epithelial cells and covered with an additional collagen layer such that cells are completely encapsulated in a 3D collagen matrix environment. Further culture of these tissues and treatment with growth factors to induce branching from the...

The development of branched epithelial tissues, known as branching morphogenesis, is regulated by cell-derived, physical, and environmental factors. In the mammary gland, branching morphogenesis is an iterative process through which guided collective cell migration creates a tree-like architecture. The first step is primary bud formation from the milk ducts, followed by branch initiation and elongation1,2. Invasion of branches into the surrounding stroma is induced by the systemic release of steroid hormones at puberty. New primary buds then initiate from the ends of existing branches, and this process continues to create an epithelial tree3. Although many important biochemical signals have been identified, a comprehensive understanding of the cell biological mechanisms that guide this complex developmental process is currently lacking. Moreover, mechanistic studies on the influences of specific cues are difficult to deconstruct from experiments in vivo, as precise spatiotemporal perturbations and measurements are often not possible.
Three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques, such as whole organ culture, primary organoids, and cell culture models, are useful tools for systematically investigating the mechanisms underlying tissue morphogenesis4-6. These can be particularly useful for determining the influences of specific factors individually, such as mechanical forces and biochemical signals, on a variety of cell behaviors, including migration, proliferation, and differentiation.6 Engineered cell culture models, in particular, readily enable the perturbation of individual cells and their microenvironment.
One such culture model uses a microfabrication-based approach to engineer model mammary epithelial tissues with controlled 3D structure that consistently and reproducibly form branches that migrate collectively when induced with the appropriate growth factors. The major advantage of the model is the ability to precisely manipulate and measure the effects of physical and biochemical factors, such as patterns of mechanical stress, with high statistical confidence. This technique, together with computational modeling, has already been used to determine the relative contributions of physical and biochemical signals in the guidance of the normal development of mammary epithelial tissues and other branched epithelia7-11. Presented here is a detailed protocol for building these model tissues, which can be readily extended to other types of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) gels, and which serves as a potential tool for the testing of therapeutics.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)</td>
			<td>Ellsworth Adhesives</td>
			<td>Sylgard 184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PDMS curing agent</td>
			<td>Ellsworth Adhesives</td>
			<td>Sylgard 184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lithographically patterned silicon master</td>
			<td>self-made</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic weigh boat</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>08-732-115</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100-mm-diameter Petri dishes</td>
			<td>BioExpress</td>
			<td>D-2550-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethyl Alcohol 200 Proof</td>
			<td>Pharmco-Aaper</td>
			<td>111000200</td>
			<td>Make a 70% EtOH (v:v) solution by mixing with dH2O</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Razor blade</td>
			<td>American Safety Razor</td>
			<td>620179</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1:1 Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle&#8217;s Medium : Ham&#8217;s F12 Nutrient Mixture (DMEM/F12) (1:1)</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30023FS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>Atlanta Biologicals</td>
			<td>S11150H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10x Hank&#8217;s balanced salt solution (HBSS)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>14185-052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>I6634-500MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamicin</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15750-060</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP399-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>221465-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine type I collagen (non-pepsinized)</td>
			<td>Koken</td>
			<td>IAC-50</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Albumin from bovine serum (BSA)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A-7906</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Curved stainless steel tweezers</td>
			<td>Dumont</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>35-mm-diameter tissue culture dishes</td>
			<td>BioExpress</td>
			<td>T-2881-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL conical tubes</td>
			<td>BioExpress</td>
			<td>C-3394-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5 mL Eppendorf Safe-Lock Tube</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>1615-5500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Circular #1 glass coverslips, 15-mm in diameter</td>
			<td>Bellco Glass Inc.</td>
			<td>Special order</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.05% 1X Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>25300-054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>100503-916</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td>N9300260</td>
			<td>Detergent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HGF</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>H 9661</td>
			<td>Resuspended in dH2O at 50 mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit anti-mouse FAK antibody</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>AMO0672</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-rabbit Alexa 488 antibody</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>A-11034</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adobe Photoshop</td>
			<td>Adobe</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Used for color-coding pixel frequency maps.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FIJI (ImageJ)</td>
			<td>NIH</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Free image analysis software used for thresholding, registering, and overlaying images to create a pixel frequency map. The StackReg plugin was used for registering binary images.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

engineering three-dimensional epithelial tissues embedded within extracellular matrix

The architecture of branched organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and mammary glands arises through the developmental process of branching morphogenesis, which is regulated by a variety of soluble and physical signals in the microenvironment. Described here is a method created to study the process of branching morphogenesis by forming engineered three-dimensional (3D) epithelial tissues of defined shape and size that are completely embedded within an extracellular matrix (ECM). This method enables the formation of arrays of identical tissues and enables the control of a variety of environmental factors, including tissue geometry, spacing, and ECM composition. This method can also be combined with widely used techniques such as traction force microscopy (TFM) to gain more information about the interactions between cells and their surrounding ECM. The protocol can be used to investigate a variety of cell and tissue processes beyond branching morphogenesis, including cancer invasion.

General schematic of mammary epithelial tissue microfabrication
A general schematic of the microfabrication procedure outlining the experimental work flow is shown in Figure 1. The end result is an array of epithelial tissues of identical geometry and spacing that are completely embedded within an ECM gel. A representative experiment uses EpH4 mouse mammary epithelial cells cultured in a gel of bovine type I collagen at a conce...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix at JoVE.com

Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix

This manuscript describes a soft lithography-based technique to engineer uniform arrays of three-dimensional (3D) epithelial tissues of defined geometry surrounded by extracellular matrix. This method is amenable to a wide variety of cell types and experimental contexts and allows for high-throughput screening of identical replicates.

The architecture of branched organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and mammary glands arises through the developmental process of branching morphogenesis, ...

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