title: Three-Dimensional Culture Assay to Explore Cancer Cell Invasiveness and Satellite Tumor Formation.
abstract: Mammalian cell culture in monolayers is widely used to study various physiological and molecular processes. However, this approach to study growing cells often generates unwanted artifacts. Therefore, cell culture in a three-dimensional (3D) environment, often using extracellular matrix components, emerged as an interesting alternative due to its close similarity to the native in vivo tissue or organ. We developed a 3D cell culture system using two compartments, namely (i) a central compartment containing cancer cells embedded in a collagen gel acting as a pseudo-primary macrospherical tumor and (ii) a peripheral cell-free compartment made of a fibrin gel, i.e. an extracellular matrix component different from that used in the center, in which cancer cells can migrate (invasion front) and/or form microspherical tumors representing secondary or satellite tumors. The formation of satellite tumors in the peripheral compartment is remarkably correlated to the known aggressiveness or metastatic origin of the native tumor cells, which makes this 3D culture system unique. This cell culture approach might be considered to assess cancer cell invasiveness and motility, cell-extracellular matrix interactions and as a method to evaluate anti-cancer drug properties.
authors: CHU de Québec Research Centre.
authors: Marie-France
authors: MF
authors: Côté
authors: CHU de Québec Research Centre; Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University.
authors: Audrey
authors: A
authors: Turcotte
authors: CHU de Québec Research Centre; Department of Surgery, Laval University.
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Doillon
authors: CHU de Québec Research Centre; Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University; Stephane.gobeil@crchul.ulaval.ca.
authors: Stephane
authors: S
authors: Gobeil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D005337:Fibrin; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin; D003094:Collagen