Impact of Viscosity on Human Hepatoma Spheroids in Soft Core-Shell Microcapsules.

ABSTRACT: The extracellular environment regulates the structures and functions of cells, from the molecular to the tissue level. However, the underlying mechanisms influencing the organization and adaptation of cancer in three-dimensional (3D) environments are not yet fully understood. In this study, the influence of the viscosity of the environment is investigated on the mechanical adaptability of human hepatoma cell (HepG2) spheroids in vitro, using 3D microcapsule reactors formed with droplet-based microfluidics. To mimic the environment with different mechanical properties, HepG2 cells are encapsulated in alginate core-shell reservoirs (i.e., microcapsules) with different core viscosities tuned by incorporating carboxymethylcellulose. The significant changes in cell and spheroid distribution, pr

SUBMITTER: Peng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11468952 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature