title: Three-dimensional analysis of the substrate-dependent invasive behavior of a human lung tumor cell line with a confocal laser scanning microscope.
abstract: Matrigel and collagen G gels were used as models for basement membrane and interstitial space-collagen, respectively, to study the invasive behavior of cells of the human lung tumor cell line EPLC 32M1, which was derived from a squamous cell carcinoma. For three dimensional analysis of the invasive process, cells were seeded onto the gels in a slide chamber and observed with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Optical sectioning in the xy and xz directions and image reconstruction with computer programs allowed us readily to obtain a three-dimensional overview of the invasive process in situ. Both types of gel showed a smooth surface. Matrigel had a granular structure whereas collagen G revealed a fiber-like morphology. The tumor cells showed a matrix-dependent behavior. On Matrigel, within 24 h of incubation, a network of cells appeared on the surface, which developed further within 72 h to interconnected multicellular cords also invading the gel. Tumor cells seeded on collagen G remained individual. They formed pseudopodia and achieved tight contact with the matrix, eventually also invading the gels in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, the composition of the substrate crucially influences the invasion path.
authors.affiliation: Biomedizinische Strukturforschung (0195), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Strohmaier
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spring
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spiess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011509:Proteoglycans; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen