An in vitro tumorigenesis model based on live-cell-generated oxygen and nutrient gradients

Commun Biol. 2021 Apr 15;4(1):477. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01954-0.

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is multi-cellular, spatially heterogenous, and contains cell-generated gradients of soluble molecules. Current cell-based model systems lack this complexity or are difficult to interrogate microscopically. We present a 2D live-cell chamber that approximates the TME and demonstrate that breast cancer cells and macrophages generate hypoxic and nutrient gradients, self-organize, and have spatially varying phenotypes along the gradients, leading to new insights into tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Carcinogenesis*
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Macrophages / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / physiology*
  • Tumor Microenvironment*