AUTHOR=Chen Zaozao , Wang Fei , Zhang Jie , Sun Xiaowei , Yan Yuchuan , Wang Yan , Ouyang Jun , Zhang Jing , Honore Tess , Ge Jianjun , Gu Zhongze 

TITLE=Study on Development of Composite Hydrogels With Tunable Structures and Properties for Tumor-on-a-Chip Research

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.611796

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2020.611796

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=A major factor for developing new tumor models is to recreate a proper three-dimensional environment for 3D tumors culture. In this 3D microenvironment, extracellular matrices play important roles in regulation of hallmark features of cancer through biochemical and mechanical signals. The fabrication of a mechanical and biophysical controllable hydrogel, while sharing similarities with Matrigel in cancer invasiveness evaluation, is an urgent but unmet need. In this study, we developed a hybrid hydrogel system composed of GelMA and hydrolyzed collagen to model tumor micro-environment and tested with several cancer cells with different origin and characteristics. The hydrogel possesses a well-organized, homogenous microstructure with adjustable mechanical stiffness and excellent permeability. This hydrogel demonstrated similar properties as Matrigel in tumor spheroids culture and 3D tumor invasiveness studies, it was further applied in a Tumor-on-a-Chip system with 3D-bioprinting. Our research demonstrated this hydrogel’s effectiveness in tumor 3D culture, and its potential to replace Matrigel in cancer invasiveness evaluation.