Cellular capsules as a tool for multicellular spheroid production and for investigating the mechanics of tumor progression in vitro. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Deciphering the multifactorial determinants of tumor progression requires standardized high-throughput preparation of 3D in vitro cellular assays. We present a simple microfluidic method based on the encapsulation and growth of cells inside permeable, elastic, hollow microspheres. We show that this approach enables mass production of size-controlled multicellular spheroids. Due to their geometry and elasticity, these microcapsules can uniquely serve as quantitative mechanical sensors to measure the pressure exerted by the expanding spheroid. By monitoring the growth of individual encapsulated spheroids after confluence, we dissect the dynamics of pressure buildup toward a steady-state value, consistent with the concept of homeostatic pressure. In turn, these confining conditions are observed to increase the cellular density and affect the cellular organization of the spheroid. Postconfluent spheroids exhibit a necrotic core cemented by a blend of extracellular material and surrounded by a rim of proliferating hypermotile cells. By performing invasion assays in a collagen matrix, we report that peripheral cells readily escape preconfined spheroids and cell-cell cohesivity is maintained for freely growing spheroids, suggesting that mechanical cues from the surrounding microenvironment may trigger cell invasion from a growing tumor. Overall, our technology offers a unique avenue to produce in vitro cell-based assays useful for developing new anticancer therapies and to investigate the interplay between mechanics and growth in tumor evolution.

publication date

  • August 26, 2013

Research

keywords

  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Spheroids, Cellular

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3773746

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84883802117

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.1309482110

PubMed ID

  • 23980147

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 110

issue

  • 37