19 research outputs found
Synthetic extracellular matrices and astrocytes provide a supportive microenvironment for the cultivation and investigation of primary pediatric gliomas
Abstract
Background. Pediatric gliomas comprise a diverse set of brain tumor entities that have substantial long-term ramifications
for patient survival and quality of life. However, the study of these tumors is currently limited due to a lack
of authentic models. Additionally, many aspects of pediatric brain tumor biology, such as tumor cell invasiveness,
have been difficult to study with currently available tools. To address these issues, we developed a synthetic extracellular
matrix (sECM)-based culture system to grow and study primary pediatric brain tumor cells.
Methods. We developed a brain-like sECM material as a supportive scaffold for the culture of primary, patientderived
pediatric glioma cells and established patient-derived cell lines. Primary juvenile brainstem-derived murine
astrocytes were used as a feeder layer to support the growth of primary human tumor cells.
Results. We found that our culture system facilitated the proliferation of various primary pediatric brain tumors, including
low-grade gliomas, and enabled ex vivo testing of investigational therapeutics. Additionally, we found that
tuning this sECM material allowed us to assess high-grade pediatric glioma cell invasion and evaluate therapeutic
interventions targeting invasive behavior.
Conclusion. Our sECM culture platform provides a multipurpose tool for pediatric brain tumor researchers that
enables both a wide breadth of biological assays and the cultivation of diverse tumor types