{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["6"],"submitter":["Bidarra SJ"],"pubmed_abstract":["Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) are strongly implicated in cancer dissemination. Intermediate states, arising from inter-conversion between epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) states, are characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity combining E and M features and increased plasticity. Hybrid EMT states are highly relevant in metastatic contexts, but have been largely neglected, partially due to the lack of physiologically-relevant 3D platforms to study them. Here we propose a new in vitro model, combining mammary E cells with a bioengineered 3D matrix, to explore phenotypic and functional properties of cells in transition between E and M states. Optimized alginate-based 3D matrices provided adequate 3D microenvironments, where normal epithelial morphogenesis was recapitulated, with formation of acini-like structures, similar to those found in native mammary tissue. TGFβ1-driven EMT in 3D could be successfully promoted, generating M-like cells. TGFβ1 removal resulted in phenotypic switching to an intermediate state (RE cells), a hybrid cell population expressing both E and M markers at gene/protein levels. RE cells exhibited increased proliferative/clonogenic activity, as compared to M cells, being able to form large colonies containing cells with front-back polarity, suggesting a more aggressive phenotype. Our 3D model provides a powerful tool to investigate the role of the microenvironment on metastable EMT stages."],"journal":["Scientific reports"],"pagination":["27072"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4891772"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["A 3D in vitro model to explore the inter-conversion between epithelial and mesenchymal states during EMT and its reversion."],"pmcid":["PMC4891772"],"pubmed_authors":["Bidarra SJ","Oliveira P","Barrias CC","Oliveira C","Saraiva DP","Rocha S"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"A 3D in vitro model to explore the inter-conversion between epithelial and mesenchymal states during EMT and its reversion.","description":"Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) are strongly implicated in cancer dissemination. Intermediate states, arising from inter-conversion between epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) states, are characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity combining E and M features and increased plasticity. Hybrid EMT states are highly relevant in metastatic contexts, but have been largely neglected, partially due to the lack of physiologically-relevant 3D platforms to study them. Here we propose a new in vitro model, combining mammary E cells with a bioengineered 3D matrix, to explore phenotypic and functional properties of cells in transition between E and M states. Optimized alginate-based 3D matrices provided adequate 3D microenvironments, where normal epithelial morphogenesis was recapitulated, with formation of acini-like structures, similar to those found in native mammary tissue. TGFβ1-driven EMT in 3D could be successfully promoted, generating M-like cells. TGFβ1 removal resulted in phenotypic switching to an intermediate state (RE cells), a hybrid cell population expressing both E and M markers at gene/protein levels. RE cells exhibited increased proliferative/clonogenic activity, as compared to M cells, being able to form large colonies containing cells with front-back polarity, suggesting a more aggressive phenotype. Our 3D model provides a powerful tool to investigate the role of the microenvironment on metastable EMT stages.","dates":{"release":"2016-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2016 Jun","modification":"2025-04-25T19:11:59.168Z","creation":"2019-03-27T02:15:15Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC4891772","cross_references":{"pubmed":["27255191"],"doi":["10.1038/srep27072"]}}