Figure 4

Tumour-associated antigens expression in melanoma cells cultured in 2D or in MCTS. (A) Melan-A/MART-1, gp100, and tyrosinase gene expression in melanoma cells cultured in 2D or in MCTS at different cell densities. HBL and D10 cells were cultured for 3 days in monolayer or in 3D at different cell densities (5000 and 30 000 cells). Total cellular RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed. Melan-A/MART-1, gp100, and Tyrosinase gene expression were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. Data were expressed as ratio to the corresponding 2D sample. NA8 cells, known to be negative for TAA expression, were used as negative control. (B) Microphtalmia-associated transcription factor gene expression in melanoma cells cultured in 2D or in MCTS at different cell densities. Melanoma cells (HBL, D10 and NA8) were cultured for 3 days in 2D (□) or in 3D (: 5000 cells – ▪: 30 000 cells). Gene expression was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. Data are expressed by using, as reference, specific gene expression observed in the corresponding 2D sample.