Collagen-Laponite Nanoclay Hydrogels for Tumor Spheroid Growth

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important regulatory role in the development and progression of tumoral tissue. Its functions and properties are crucial in determining tumor cell behavior such as invasion, migration, and malignancy development. Our study explores the role of collagen type I...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomacromolecules 2023-06, Vol.24 (6), p.2879-2891
Main Authors: Alamán-Díez, Pilar, Borau, Carlos, Guerrero, Pedro Enrique, Amaveda, Hippolyte, Mora, Mario, Fraile, José María, García-Gareta, Elena, García-Aznar, José Manuel, Pérez, María Ángeles
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important regulatory role in the development and progression of tumoral tissue. Its functions and properties are crucial in determining tumor cell behavior such as invasion, migration, and malignancy development. Our study explores the role of collagen type I in cancer development and spread using engineered tumor models like multicellular spheroids grown in collagen-based hydrogels to simulate early tumor formation. We employ microfluidic techniques to test the hypothesis that (i) adding Laponite nanoclay to collagen hydrogels modifies mechanical and rheological properties and (ii) changing the stiffness of the collagen microenvironment affects tumor spheroid growth. Our findings support our theories and suggest the use of ECM components and engineered tumor models in cancer research, offering a biocompatible and biomimetic method to tailor the mechanical properties of conventional collagen hydrogels.
ISSN:1525-7797
1526-4602
DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00257