Figure 1

Characterization of the 3D biomimetic cancer model. (a,b) Pictures of the collagen scaffold. For a, scale bar: 3 mm. For b, scale bar: 1 mm. (c) SEM micrograph showing the fibrous and porous surface of the scaffold, revealing its high porosity. Scale bar: 500 µm. (d) High magnification SEM micrograph showing the minute architecture of the scaffold, and type I collagen fibers displaying their typical d-bands. Scale bar: 20 µm. (e) MTT assay of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cultured on the 3D scaffold, compared to an empty control scaffold (ctrl). Scale bars: 3 mm. (f) SEM micrographs of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cultured on the scaffold on day 7. Scale bars: 100 µm. (g) Hematoxylin and eosin stained histological sections of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cultured on the scaffold on day 7, compared to the corresponding in vivo tumors. Scale bars: 100 µm. For the insets, scale bars: 20 µm. (h) Western blot analysis of collagen IV (180 kDa), fibronectin (285 kDa), vitronectin (54 kDa) and vinculin (125 kDa) in the scaffold and in the corresponding in vivo tumors.