Gelatin Sponge as an Anchorage for Three-dimensional Culture of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Compared to two-dimensional cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have many advantages in cancer studies. Nevertheless, their implementation is unsatisfactory. This study aimed to develop an anchoragedependent 3D culture model for colorectal cancer research. Materials and Methods: Human HCT116, DLD-1 and SW620 colorectal cell lines were cultured in a gelatin sponge, and its applicability for morphological examination was studied. Results: The resulting specimens were suitable for scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical examination. HCT116 formed smaller structures and migrated through the pores of the sponge. DLD-1 formed larger structures with tight cell-to-cell adhesion. SW620 also formed large structures but small clustered cells tended to attach to the anchorage more favorably. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated phosphorylated yes-associated protein (YAP) localized near the attachment site in HCT116 cells. Conclusion: Because the gelatin sponge provided suitable anchorage and the cultured cells formed distinguishable 3D structures, this method may be useful for further colorectal cancer research.

Cryostructuring of Polymeric Systems: 63. Synthesis of Two Chemically Tanned Gelatin-Based Cryostructurates and Evaluation of Their Potential as Scaffolds for Culturing of Mammalian Cells

“…The preparation of various gelatin-based cryogels and cryostructurates has been reported [ 23 , 27 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ], and their promising potential as macroporous, biocompatible scaffolds for cell culturing has been demonstrated [ 6 , 32 , 39 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Nonetheless, there is one significant point related to the features capable of complicating the procedures used for the preparation of the above-mentioned gelatin cryogels and cryostructurates, as well as of similar materials based on other polymers (e.g., agarose [ 41 ]), solutions of which undergo the sol–gel transition upon cooling.…”