Gradient-induced instability in tumour spheroids unveils the impact of microenvironmental nutrient changes

Flora Ascione, Rosalia Ferraro, Prashant Dogra, Vittorio Cristini, Stefano Guido, Sergio Caserta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Tumours often display invasive behaviours that induce fingering, branching and fragmentation processes. The phenomenon, known as diffusional instability, is driven by differential cell proliferation, migration, and death due to the presence of metabolite and catabolite concentration gradients. An understanding of the intricate dynamics of this spatially heterogeneous process plays a key role in the investigation of tumour growth and invasion. In this study, we developed an in vitro tumour invasion assay to investigate cell invasiveness in tumour spheroids under a chemotactic stimulus. Our method, employing tumour spheroids seeded in a 3D collagen gel within a microfluidic chemotaxis chamber, focuses on the role of diffusive gradients. Using Time-Lapse Microscopy, the dynamic evolution of tumour spheroids was monitored in real-time, providing a comprehensive view of the morphological changes and cell migration patterns under different chemotactic conditions. Specifically, we explored the impact of fetal bovine serum (FBS) gradients on the behaviour of CT26 mouse colon carcinoma cells and compared the effects of varying FBS concentrations to two isotropic control conditions. Furthermore, a finite element in silico model was developed to quantify the diffusive flow of nutrients in the chemotaxis chamber and obtain a detailed understanding of tumour dynamics. Our findings reveal that the presence of a chemotactic gradient significantly influences tumour invasiveness, with higher concentrations of nutrients associated with increased cancer growth and cell migration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number20837
Pages (from-to)20837
JournalScientific Reports
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 6 2024

Keywords

  • Cell spheroids
  • Chemotaxis
  • In vitro assay
  • Microfluidic channel
  • Morphological instability
  • Time-Lapse Microscopy
  • Tumour invasion
  • Spheroids, Cellular/pathology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Humans
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Animals
  • Nutrients/metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Mice
  • Cell Movement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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