Speaker
Description
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive and heterogeneous brain tumor, making it particularly difficult to replicate its complex tumor microenvironment (TME) in vitro. One promising approach involves using GBM-derived decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs), which closely mimic the native TME. These dECMs contain tumor-specific biochemical components such as glioma-associated glycoproteins, growth factors, and ECM-remodeling enzymes that play key roles in regulating cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness. As a result, GBM-derived dECM bioinks are well-suited for modeling tumor heterogeneity, studying cancer cell behavior, and evaluating therapeutic responses. However, acquiring GBM-derived dECM is often challenging due to limited tissue availability. To overcome this, we developed a novel method to generate GBM-derived dECM bioink by culturing glioblastoma cells on collagen-coated substrates and applying mechanical stimulation. This stimulation activated the GBM cells, and RT-qPCR analysis showed significant upregulation of genes associated with invasiveness and proliferation compared to unstimulated controls. The resulting bioconstructs were then decellularized and formulated into bioink for the biofabrication of ex vivo TME models. This study demonstrates that mechanical preconditioning of GBM cells can enhance ECM deposition, offering a scalable and reproducible method for generating tumor-mimetic bioinks. The resulting GBM-derived dECM bioink provides a biologically relevant platform for modeling the GBM microenvironment, investigating tumor progression, and screening therapeutic candidates in a more physiologically accurate context.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive and heterogeneous brain tumor, making it particularly difficult to replicate its complex tumor microenvironment (TME) in vitro. One promising approach involves using GBM-derived decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs), which closely mimic the native TME. These dECMs contain tumor-specific biochemical components such as glioma-associated glycoproteins, growth factors, and ECM-remodeling enzymes that play key roles in regulating cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness. As a result, GBM-derived dECM bioinks are well-suited for modeling tumor heterogeneity, studying cancer cell behavior, and evaluating therapeutic responses. However, acquiring GBM-derived dECM is often challenging due to limited tissue availability. To overcome this, we developed a novel method to generate GBM-derived dECM bioink by culturing glioblastoma cells on collagen-coated substrates and applying mechanical stimulation. This stimulation activated the GBM cells, and RT-qPCR analysis showed significant upregulation of genes associated with invasiveness and proliferation compared to unstimulated controls. The resulting bioconstructs were then decellularized and formulated into bioink for the biofabrication of ex vivo TME models. This study demonstrates that mechanical preconditioning of GBM cells can enhance ECM deposition, offering a scalable and reproducible method for generating tumor-mimetic bioinks. The resulting GBM-derived dECM bioink provides a biologically relevant platform for modeling the GBM microenvironment, investigating tumor progression, and screening therapeutic candidates in a more physiologically accurate context.
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