To develop effective cancer treatments, researchers need tissue models that closely mimic real tumors. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich(TUM)have developed a new method to grow complex 3D tissue structures, to do just this. Using a collagen matrix1 instead of a traditional Matrigel2, they successfully cultured mouse pancreatic cancer cells into branched structures that mimic the architecture of tumors found in the body.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a deadly cancer with limited treatment options. Traditional cell culture methods create spherical cell clusters that don’t replicate the true structure of tumors. The TUM Munich team changed this by using collagen, allowing the cells to form intricate tubular structures. This new model helps scientists understand how tumors grow and spread. Switching from Matrigel to collagen is significant because Matrigel is derived from mouse tumors and its production involves many animals. Collagen, on the other hand, can be a more ethical and effective alternative for certain types of cells.
By recreating the 3D branching structures of actual tumors, scientists can better study tumor development and metastasis, leading to more accurate drug testing and insights into how cancers develop and spread. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows promise for reducing animal use in research and improving the study of cancer and other diseases.
1A collagen matrix is a three-dimensional network or scaffold made from collagen, a protein that serves as a key component of connective tissues in the body. Collagen matrices are invaluable tools in biotechnology and medicine due to their ability to closely replicate the natural environment of cells.
2Matrigel is a complex protein mixture derived from the basement membrane of the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) mouse sarcoma, a tumor rich in extracellular matrix proteins. It is commonly used in biological research, particularly in cell culture, due to its ability to mimic the complex environment found in tissues.
Authors: Christopher Cederroth, Jessica Lampe & Robbie I’Anson Price, Swiss 3R Competence Centre
Reference: Randriamanantsoa S, Papargyriou A, Maurer HC et al. (2022) Spatiotemporal dynamics of self-organized branching in pancreas-derived organoids. Nature Communications. 13:5219.
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