MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Form Differentiated Microtissues in Scaffold-Free Hydrogels.
Three-dimensional (3D) cultures are increasing in use because of their ability to represent in vivo human physiology when compared to monolayer two-dimensional (2D) cultures. When grown in 3D using scaffold-free agarose hydrogels, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells self-organize to form directionally-oriented microtissues that contain a luminal space, reminiscent of the in vivo structure of the mammary gland. When compared to MCF-7 cells cultured in 2D monolayer culture, MCF-7 microtissues exhibit increased mRNA expression of luminal epithelial markers keratin 8 and keratin 19 and decreased expression of basal marker keratin 14 and the mesenchymal marker vimentin. These 3D MCF-7 microtissues remain responsive to estrogens, as demonstrated by induction of known estrogen target mRNAs following exposure to 17β-estradiol. Culture of MCF-7 cells in scaffold-free conditions allows for the formation of more differentiated, estrogen-responsive structures that are a more relevant system for evaluation of estrogenic compounds than traditional 2D models.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
Marguerite M
MM
Vantangoli
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
Samantha J
SJ
Madnick
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
Susan M
SM
Huse
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
Paula
P
Weston
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
Kim
K
Boekelheide
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology; D007633:Keratins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014746:Vimentin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D020100:Hydrogels; D014746:Vimentin; D004958:Estradiol; D007633:Keratins