Figure 1
From: Fibroblast-associated tumour microenvironment induces vascular structure-networked tumouroid
In vivo tumour microenvironment and in vitro tumourigenesis model. (a) Biophysical cues affected not only tumourigenesis but also tumour angiogenesis. Biochemical cues, such as cytokines and growth factors, promoted the induction of resident fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs in contact with cancer cells enhanced the viability, proliferation, and migration of these cells and reduced apoptosis. Fibroblasts in contact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) caused matrix alignment for tumour formation. Interactions between cancer cells and fibroblasts played a critical role in tumourigenesis through various physiochemical cues. (b) The microfluidic device was designed to supply the in vitro tumour microenvironment with oxygen and nutrients. Cancer and fibroblast cells were differentiated using a spin-down technique and confirmed with two fluorescence cell trackers. The continuous flow of the culture medium was regulated by yarn flow resistance inside the drain tube to maintain conditions similar to those of blood flow in a capillary.
