Abstract
A physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment is favorable for the progression and growth of gastric cancer cells. To simulate the tumor-specific conditions of in vivo environments, several biomaterials engineering studies have investigated three-dimensional (3D) cultures. However, the implementation of such cultures remains limited because of challenges in outlining the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of the gastric cancer microenvironment. In this study, we developed a 3D cell printing-based gastric cancer model, using a combination of gastric tissue-specific bioinks and cellulose nanoparticles (CN) to provide adequate stiffness to gastric cancer cells. To create a 3D gastric tissue-specific microenvironment, we developed a decellularization process for a gastric tissue-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (g-dECM) bioink, and investigated the effect of the g-dECM bioink on promoting the aggressiveness of gastric cancer cells using histological and genetic validation methods. We found that incorporating CN in the matrix improves its mechanical properties, which supports the progression of gastric cancer. These mechanical properties are distinguishing characteristics that can facilitate the development of an in vitro gastric cancer model. Further, the CN-supplemented g-dECM bioink was used to print a variety of free-standing 3D shapes, including gastric rugae. These results indicate that the proposed model can be used to develop a physiologically relevant gastric cancer system that can be used in future preclinical trials.
Highlights
Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer, and the second most common cause of cancerrelated death worldwide (Spolverato et al, 2015)
We successfully developed processes for the preparation of gastric tissue-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (g-decellularized tissue ECM (dECM)) from native gastric tissue (Figures 1A,B)
Our method for developing g-dECM removes cellular material from tissue while minimizing extracellular matrix (ECM) loss and damage. This was validated through a DNA quantification assay, which determined that
Summary
Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer, and the second most common cause of cancerrelated death worldwide (Spolverato et al, 2015). In Western countries, more than 80% of patients that are diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer have poor prognosis. The 5-year survival rate for this disease is under 30% (Roukos, 2000). Controlling Cancerous Behavior With CN-g-dECM lost, as diagnosis occurs too late (Spolverato et al, 2015). Patients with advanced stage gastric cancer receive chemotherapy as well as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. This approach achieves improved therapeutic effects, survival rates remain unsatisfactory because of the tumors’ high drug resistance (Yuan et al, 2017)
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