Extracellular matrix mediates moruloid-blastuloid morphodynamics in malignant ovarian spheroids.

ABSTRACT: Ovarian cancer metastasizes into peritoneum through dissemination of transformed epithelia as multicellular spheroids. Harvested from the malignant ascites of patients, spheroids exhibit startling features of organization typical to homeostatic glandular tissues: lumen surrounded by smoothly contoured and adhered epithelia. Herein, we demonstrate that cells of specific ovarian cancer lines in suspension, aggregate into dysmorphic solid "moruloid" clusters that permit intercellular movement, cell penetration, and interspheroidal coalescence. Moruloid clusters subsequently mature into "blastuloid" spheroids with smooth contours, a temporally dynamic lumen and immotile cells. Blastuloid spheroids neither coalesce nor allow cell penetration. Ultrastructural examination reveals a basement membr

SUBMITTER: Langthasa J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8358442 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature