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

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. Gilmore et al. describe an in vitro tumorigenesis model that produces cell-generated gradients of oxygen and nutrients. Its 2D configuration simplifies live cell, immunofluorescent, and microscopic interrogation of cancer cell behaviour in differentially developed tumour microenvironment conditions, including co-culture systems.

Automated summary

The study presents a 2D live-cell chamber that approximates the tumor microenvironment, demonstrating how breast cancer cells and macrophages generate gradients and self-organize. This in vitro tumorigenesis model simplifies the study of cancer cell behavior in different microenvironment conditions.