Intratumoral phenotypic heterogeneity as an encourager of cancer invasion.
We present a novel in vitro breast tumor model to mimic intratumoral phenotypic heterogeneity based on a microfluidic system incorporating ECM scaffolds capable of providing a physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment. To study the regulation of invasive potentials by intratumoral subpopulation conditions, we developed heterogeneous cancer cell subpopulations by co-culturing two breast cancer cell types with distinct phenotypes, specifically, highly invasive and epithelial-like cancer cells. Our results indicate that intratumoral phenotypic heterogeneity acts as an encourager of cancer cell invasion through a 3D matrix depending on the neighboring ECM, with highly invasive cancer cells acting as the 'leader' and epithelial-like cancer cells as the 'follower', therefore enhancing the metastatic potential.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, #512B, Innovation Hall, Anam, Seongbuk, Seoul 136-713, South Korea. sidchung@korea.ac.kr.
Yoojin
Y
Shin
Sewoon
S
Han
Euiheon
E
Chung
Seok
S
Chung
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010641:Phenotype; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology*