In vitro 3D model of the immune-oncology stromal barrier for evaluating T-cell accumulation and cytotoxicity
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies, infiltration into the tumor and the recognition and attack of cancer cells by T cells ex vivo must be assessed. However, few available in vitro experimental systems can assess T-cell infiltration into tumor tissues in a manner that structurally mimics the tumor tissue due to difficulties in controlling cell position. Here, we developed a stacked three-dimensional (3D) stromal tissue using a cell-assembled viscous tissues method. Stromal tissues, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), created a stromal barrier that prevented cytotoxic T cells from attacking cancer cells. Drug screening using the CAF model demonstrated that HDAC inhibitors promote T-cell infiltration and its combined effects and suppress extracellular matrix formation and CAF expression by acting on fibroblasts. Thus, the stromal barrier–inclusive co-culture model that partially reproduces CAF-induced cold tumors could facilitate the development of drugs that promote immune cell infiltration and cell-cell interaction studies.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE289926 | GEO | 2026/04/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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