3D Cell Culture for the Study of Microenvironment-Mediated Mechanostimuli to the Cell Nucleus: An Important Step for Cancer Research

The discovery that the stiffness of the tumor microenvironment (TME) changes during cancer progression motivated the development of cell culture involving extracellular mechanostimuli, with the intent of identifying mechanotransduction mechanisms that influence cell phenotypes. Collagen I is a main extracellular matrix (ECM) component used to study mechanotransduction in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. There are also models with interstitial fluid stress that have been mostly focusing on the migration of invasive cells. We argue that a major step for the culture of tumors is to integrate increased ECM stiffness and fluid movement characteristic of the TME. Mechanotransduction is based on the principles of tensegrity and dynamic reciprocity, which requires measuring not only biochemical changes, but also physical changes in cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Most techniques available for cellular rheology were developed for a 2D, flat cell culture world, hence hampering studies requiring proper cellular architecture that, itself, depends on 3D tissue organization. New and adapted measuring techniques for 3D cell culture will be worthwhile to study the apparent increase in physical plasticity of cancer cells with disease progression. Finally, evidence of the physical heterogeneity of the TME, in terms of ECM composition and stiffness and of fluid flow, calls for the investigation of its impact on the cellular heterogeneity proposed to control tumor phenotypes. Reproducing, measuring and controlling TME heterogeneity should stimulate collaborative efforts between biologists and engineers. Studying cancers in well-tuned 3D cell culture platforms is paramount to bring mechanomedicine into the realm of oncology.

Automated summary

Discoveries about the changing stiffness of the tumor microenvironment during cancer progression have led to the development of cell culture methods involving extracellular mechanostimuli to understand mechanotransduction mechanisms impacting cell phenotypes. Collagen I is commonly used in 3D cell culture to study mechanotransduction, while models with interstitial fluid stress focus on invasive cell migration. Integrating increased ECM stiffness and fluid flow in tumor culture is crucial, as is the need for new techniques to study the physical plasticity of cancer cells in 3D. Investigating the physical heterogeneity of the TME and its impact on cellular heterogeneity could enhance collaborative efforts between biologists and engineers to advance mechanomedicine in oncology.