Novel organotypic culture model of cholangiocarcinoma progression.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

  Recent studies have suggested that increased α-smooth muscle-actin positive myofibroblastic cells (α-SMA positive CAF) in the desmoplastic stroma may relate to a more aggressive cancer and worse survival outcomes for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients. To facilitate investigating cellular and molecular interactions between α-SMA positive CAF and cholangiocarcinoma cells related to ICC progression, we developed a novel 3-D organotypic culture model of cholangiocarcinoma that more accurately mimics the stromal microenvironment, gene expression profile and select pathophysiological characteristics of desmoplastic ICC in vivo.

Methods

  This unique model was established by co-culturing within a type I collagen gel matrix, a strain of cholangiocarcinoma cells (d

SUBMITTER: Campbell DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3416930 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature