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Rodrigues DB, Moreira HR, Jarnalo M, Horta R, Marques AP, Reis RL, Pirraco RP. Generation of 3D melanoma models using an assembloid-based approach. Acta Biomater 2024; 178:93-110. [PMID: 38382833 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
While 3D tumor models have greatly evolved over the past years, there is still a strong requirement for more biosimilar models which are capable of recapitulating cellular crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment while equally displaying representative levels of tumor aggressiveness and invasion. Herein, we disclose an assembloid melanoma model based on the fusion of individual stromal multicellular spheroids (MCSs). In contrast to more traditional tumor models, we show that it is possible to develop self-organizing, heterotypic melanoma models where tumor cells present stem-cell like features like up-regulated pluripotency master regulators SOX2, POU5F1 and NANOG. Additionally, these assembloids display high levels of invasiveness while embedded in 3D matrices as evidenced by stromal cell promotion of melanoma cell invasion via metalloproteinase production. Furthermore, sensitivity to anticancer drug doxorubicin was demonstrated for the melanoma assembloid model. These findings suggest that melanoma assembloids may play a significant role in the field of 3D cancer models as they more closely mimic the tumor microenvironment when compared to more traditional MCSs, opening the doors to a better understanding of the role of tumor microenvironment in supporting tumor progression. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The development of complex 3D tumor models that better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment is crucial for both an improved comprehension of intercellular crosstalk and for more efficient drug screening. We have herein developed a self-organizing heterotypic assembloid-based melanoma model capable of closely mimicking the tumor microenvironment. Key features recapitulated were the preservation of cancer cell stemness, sensitivity to anti-cancer agents and tumor cell invasion promoted by stromal cells. The approach of pre-establishing distinct stromal domains for subsequent combination into more complex tumor constructs provides a route for developing superior tumor models with a higher degree of similarity to native cancer tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Rodrigues
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Helena R Moreira
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Mariana Jarnalo
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Burn Unity, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine - University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Horta
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Burn Unity, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine - University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra P Marques
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal.
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2
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Horwacik I. The Extracellular Matrix and Neuroblastoma Cell Communication-A Complex Interplay and Its Therapeutic Implications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193172. [PMID: 36231134 PMCID: PMC9564247 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric neuroendocrine neoplasm. It arises from the sympatho-adrenal lineage of neural-crest-derived multipotent progenitor cells that fail to differentiate. NB is the most common extracranial tumor in children, and it manifests undisputed heterogeneity. Unsatisfactory outcomes of high-risk (HR) NB patients call for more research to further inter-relate treatment and molecular features of the disease. In this regard, it is well established that in the tumor microenvironment (TME), malignant cells are engaged in complex and dynamic interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and stromal cells. The ECM can be a source of both pro- and anti-tumorigenic factors to regulate tumor cell fate, such as survival, proliferation, and resistance to therapy. Moreover, the ECM composition, organization, and resulting signaling networks are vastly remodeled during tumor progression and metastasis. This review mainly focuses on the molecular mechanisms and effects of interactions of selected ECM components with their receptors on neuroblastoma cells. Additionally, it describes roles of enzymes modifying and degrading ECM in NB. Finally, the article gives examples on how the knowledge is exploited for prognosis and to yield new treatment options for NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Horwacik
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Virology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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3
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Varankar SS, More M, Abraham A, Pansare K, Kumar B, Narayanan NJ, Jolly MK, Mali AM, Bapat SA. Functional balance between Tcf21-Slug defines cellular plasticity and migratory modalities in high grade serous ovarian cancer cell lines. Carcinogenesis 2020; 41:515-526. [PMID: 31241128 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and transitional phenotypes add to complexities of cancer metastasis that can be initiated by single cell epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) or cooperative cell migration (CCM). Our study identifies novel regulatory cross-talks between Tcf21 and Slug in mediating phenotypic and migration plasticity in high-grade serous ovarian adenocarcinoma (HGSC). Differential expression and subcellular localization associate Tcf21, Slug with epithelial, mesenchymal phenotypes, respectively; however, gene manipulation approaches identify their association with additional intermediate phenotypic states, implying the existence of a multistep epithelial-mesenchymal transition program. Live imaging further associated distinct migratory modalities with the Tcf21/Slug status of cell systems and discerned proliferative/passive CCM, active CCM and EMT modes of migration. Tcf21-Slug balance identified across a phenotypic spectrum in HGSC cell lines, associated with microenvironment-induced transitions and the emergence of an epithelial phenotype following drug exposure. Phenotypic transitions and associated functionalities following drug exposure were affirmed to ensue from occupancy of Slug promoter E-box sequences by Tcf21. Our study effectively provides a framework for understanding the relevance of ovarian cancer plasticity as a function of two transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar S Varankar
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Madhuri More
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Ancy Abraham
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Kshama Pansare
- Institute for Plasma Research & Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi-Mumbai, India
| | - Brijesh Kumar
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Nivedhitha J Narayanan
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Avinash M Mali
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Sharmila A Bapat
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
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4
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Bhatia S, Wang P, Toh A, Thompson EW. New Insights Into the Role of Phenotypic Plasticity and EMT in Driving Cancer Progression. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:71. [PMID: 32391381 PMCID: PMC7190792 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells demonstrate substantial plasticity in their genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) can be characterized into dynamic intermediate states and can be orchestrated by many factors, either intercellularly via epigenetic reprograming, or extracellularly via growth factors, inflammation and/or hypoxia generated by the tumor stromal microenvironment. EMP has the capability to alter phenotype and produce heterogeneity, and thus by changing the whole cancer landscape can attenuate oncogenic signaling networks, invoke anti-apoptotic features, defend against chemotherapeutics and reprogram angiogenic and immune recognition functions. We discuss here the role of phenotypic plasticity in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis and provide an update of the modalities utilized for the molecular characterization of the EMT states and attributes of cellular behavior, including cellular metabolism, in the context of EMP. We also summarize recent findings in dynamic EMP studies that provide new insights into the phenotypic plasticity of EMP flux in cancer and propose therapeutic strategies to impede the metastatic outgrowth of phenotypically heterogeneous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandha Bhatia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peiyu Wang
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alan Toh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Ornell KJ, Coburn JM. Developing preclinical models of neuroblastoma: driving therapeutic testing. BMC Biomed Eng 2019; 1:33. [PMID: 32903387 PMCID: PMC7422585 DOI: 10.1186/s42490-019-0034-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in cancer therapeutics, particularly in the area of immuno-oncology, successful treatment of neuroblastoma (NB) remains a challenge. NB is the most common cancer in infants under 1 year of age, and accounts for approximately 10% of all pediatric cancers. Currently, children with high-risk NB exhibit a survival rate of 40–50%. The heterogeneous nature of NB makes development of effective therapeutic strategies challenging. Many preclinical models attempt to mimic the tumor phenotype and tumor microenvironment. In vivo mouse models, in the form of genetic, syngeneic, and xenograft mice, are advantageous as they replicated the complex tumor-stroma interactions and represent the gold standard for preclinical therapeutic testing. Traditional in vitro models, while high throughput, exhibit many limitations. The emergence of new tissue engineered models has the potential to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo models for therapeutic testing. Therapeutics continue to evolve from traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies to biologically targeted therapies. These therapeutics act on both the tumor cells and other cells within the tumor microenvironment, making development of preclinical models that accurately reflect tumor heterogeneity more important than ever. In this review, we will discuss current in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing models, and their potential applications to therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Ornell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Jeannine M Coburn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
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Uncoupling Traditional Functionalities of Metastasis: The Parting of Ways with Real-Time Assays. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8070941. [PMID: 31261795 PMCID: PMC6678138 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8070941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The experimental evaluation of metastasis overly focuses on the gain of migratory and invasive properties, while disregarding the contributions of cellular plasticity, extra-cellular matrix heterogeneity, niche interactions, and tissue architecture. Traditional cell-based assays often restrict the inclusion of these processes and warrant the implementation of approaches that provide an enhanced spatiotemporal resolution of the metastatic cascade. Time lapse imaging represents such an underutilized approach in cancer biology, especially in the context of disease progression. The inclusion of time lapse microscopy and microfluidic devices in routine assays has recently discerned several nuances of the metastatic cascade. Our review emphasizes that a complete comprehension of metastasis in view of evolving ideologies necessitates (i) the use of appropriate, context-specific assays and understanding their inherent limitations; (ii) cautious derivation of inferences to avoid erroneous/overestimated clinical extrapolations; (iii) corroboration between multiple assay outputs to gauge metastatic potential; and (iv) the development of protocols with improved in situ implications. We further believe that the adoption of improved quantitative approaches in these assays can generate predictive algorithms that may expedite therapeutic strategies targeting metastasis via the development of disease relevant model systems. Such approaches could potentiate the restructuring of the cancer metastasis paradigm through an emphasis on the development of next-generation real-time assays.
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Chen BJ, Tang YJ, Tang YL, Liang XH. What makes cells move: Requirements and obstacles for leader cells in collective invasion. Exp Cell Res 2019; 382:111481. [PMID: 31247191 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Most recently, mounting evidence has shown that cancer cells can invade as a cohesive and multicellular group with coordinated movement, which is called collective invasion. In this cohesive cancer cell group, cancer cells at the front of collective invasion are defined as leader cell that are responsible for many aspects of collective invasion, including sensing the microenvironment, determining the invasion direction, modifying the path of invasion and transmitting information to other cells. To fulfill their dispensable roles, leader cells are required to embark on some specific phenotypes with unusual expression of some proteins and it's very important to investigate into these proteins as they may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Here, in this review we will summarize current knowledge on four emerging proteins highly expressed in leader cells including K14, ΔNp63α, Dll4 and cysteine protease cathepsin B (CTSB), with a focus on their important roles in collective invasion and special mechanisms by which they promote collective invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China.
| | - Ya-Jie Tang
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China.
| | - Ya-Ling Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Oral Pathology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University.China.
| | - Xin-Hua Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China.
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8
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Cardin LT, Prates J, da Cunha BR, Tajara EH, Oliani SM, Rodrigues‐Lisoni FC. Annexin A1 peptide and endothelial cell-conditioned medium modulate cervical tumorigenesis. FEBS Open Bio 2019; 9:668-681. [PMID: 30984541 PMCID: PMC6443877 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women worldwide, and its tumorigenesis can be influenced by the microenvironment. The anti-inflammatory protein annexin A1 (ANXA1) has been reported to be associated with cancer progression and metastasis, suggesting that it plays a role in regulating tumour cell proliferation. Here, we examined the effect of the N-terminal peptide Ac2-26 of ANXA1 on the HaCaT cell line (normal) and HeLa cell line (cervical cancer) co-cultured with endothelium cell-conditioned medium (HMC). Treatment with Ac2-26 decreased proliferation and increased motility of cervical cancer cells, but did not affect cellular morphology or viability. Combined HMC stimulus and Ac2-26 treatment resulted in an increase in apoptotic HeLa cells, upregulated expression of MMP2, and downregulated expression of COX2,EP3 and EP4. In conclusion, Ac2-26 treatment may modulate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cervical carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Toniol Cardin
- Institute of Bioscience, Humanities and Exact ScienceSão Paulo State University (Unesp)São José do Rio PretoBrazil
| | - Janesly Prates
- Institute of Bioscience, Humanities and Exact ScienceSão Paulo State University (Unesp)São José do Rio PretoBrazil
| | - Bianca Rodrigues da Cunha
- Department of Molecular BiologySchool of Medicine of São José do Rio PretoSão José do Rio PretoBrazil
| | - Eloiza Helena Tajara
- Department of Molecular BiologySchool of Medicine of São José do Rio PretoSão José do Rio PretoBrazil
| | - Sonia Maria Oliani
- Institute of Bioscience, Humanities and Exact ScienceSão Paulo State University (Unesp)São José do Rio PretoBrazil
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Mitchell CB, Stehn JR, O'Neill GM. Small molecule targeting of the actin associating protein tropomyosin Tpm3.1 increases neuroblastoma cell response to inhibition of Rac‐mediated multicellular invasion. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2018; 75:307-317. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla B. Mitchell
- Children's Cancer Research UnitKids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at WestmeadWestmead New South Wales Australia
| | - Justine R. Stehn
- Novogen Pty LtdHornsby NSW Australia
- School of Medical SciencesUniversity of New South Wales AustraliaSydney NSW Australia
| | - Geraldine M. O'Neill
- Children's Cancer Research UnitKids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at WestmeadWestmead New South Wales Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child HealthThe University of SydneySydney New South Wales Australia
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Abstract
In vitro tests of cancer cell invasion are the "first line" tools of preclinical researchers for screening the multitude of chemical compounds or cell perturbations that may aid in halting or treating cancer malignancy. In order to have predictive value or to contribute to designing personalized treatment regimes, these tests need to take into account the cancer cell environment and measure effects on invasion in sufficient detail. The in vitro invasion assays presented here are a trade-off between feasibility in a multisample format and mimicking the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. They allow testing multiple samples and conditions in parallel using 3D-matrix-embedded cells and deal with the heterogeneous behavior of an invading cell population in time. We describe the steps to take, the technical problems to tackle and useful software tools for the entire workflow: from the experimental setup to the quantification of the invasive capacity of the cells. The protocol is intended to guide researchers to standardize experimental set-ups and to annotate their invasion experiments in sufficient detail. In addition, it provides options for image processing and a solution for storage, visualization, quantitative analysis, and multisample comparison of acquired cell invasion data.
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