Tuning Enzymatically Crosslinked Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Properties for the Development of a Colorectal Cancer Extravasation 3D Model on a Chip

Abstract

Microfluidic devices are now the most promising tool to mimic in vivo like scenarios such as tumorigenesis and metastasis due to its ability to more closely mimic cell's natural microenvironment (such as 3D environment and continuous perfusion of nutrients). In this study, the ability of 2% and 3% enzymatically crosslinked silk fibroin hydrogels with different mechanical properties are tested in terms of colorectal cancer cell migration, under different microenvironments in a 3D dynamic model. Matrigel is used as control. Moreover, a comprehensive comparison between the traditional Boyden chamber assay and the 3D dynamic microfluidic model in terms of colorectal cancer cell migration is presented. The results show profound differences between the two used biomaterials and the two migration models, which are explored in terms of mechanical properties of the hydrogels as well as the intrinsic characteristics of the models. Moreover, the developed 3D dynamic model is validated by demonstrating that hVCAM‐1 plays a major role in the extravasation process, influencing extravasation rate and traveled distance. Furthermore, the developed model enables precise visualization of cancer cell migration within a 3D matrix in response to microenvironmental cues, shedding light on the importance of biophysical properties in cell behavior.

Fundamentals and Current Strategies for Peripheral Nerve Repair and Regeneration

“…With very low immunological response, capacity to be transformed in diverse shapes and matrices, tunable degradation as well as easily chemically modified, SF has the potential to impact the clinical needs in terms of nerve regeneration [132]. Beyond PNR, SF has been extensively applied in the TERM field with very distinctive applications [133][134][135].…”

Cancer Stem Cell Microenvironment Models with Biomaterial Scaffolds In Vitro

“…The mechanical properties of silk fibroin make it a good choice to develop effective models to study metastasis. The 3D silk scaffolds were used to study metastasis of prostate cancer cells and evaluate their functions where mechanical properties of crosslinked silk scaffolds profoundly influenced the cancer migration rate [157]. The migration of cancer cells was more in 2% silk fibrin hydrogels than in 3%, where no cell migration was observed.…”

Finding the perfect match between nanoparticles and microfluidics to respond to cancer challenges

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