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NC3Rs | 20 Years: Pioneering Better Science
Project grant

A multi-cellular 3D model of human breast tissue to replace rodent xenograft models in breast cancer research

Headshot of Professor Cathy Merry

At a glance

Completed
Award date
February 2016 - February 2020
Grant amount
£356,677
Principal investigator
Professor Cathy Merry
Institute
University of Nottingham

R

  • Replacement
Read the abstract
View the grant profile on GtR

Impact story

This project has been featured in an impact story, showcasing how NC3Rs-funded research comes together to develop innovative new 3Rs tools and technologies that are pioneering better science.

Application abstract

We aim to reduce the number of rodent models investigating the biology of the breast by developing a superior in vitro matrix incorporating bespoke human breast extracellular matrix (ECM) components, providing a robust culture model as the go-to platform for exploring the biology of the breast and breast cancer. Drs Merry and Meade have developed a simple peptide hydrogel system originally optimised for the culture of stem cells. In collaboration with Dr Farnie and Prof Howell, who provide expertise in primary breast cell culture, ductal carcinoma (DCIS) and breast ECM/density, we have pilot data demonstrating that the hydrogel is suitable for the growth of typical in vitro 3D normal and DCIS breast structures. As with the vast majority of cancers, the interaction of DCIS cells with their local microenvironment, the surrounding stroma and ECM, is fundamental in defining their proliferation, transformation to malignancy and invasion. Our hydrogel is well positioned to replicate aspects of the complex mixture of proteins and glycans that embeds and supports cells, and can also be manipulated to mimic ECM stiffness (breast density) which is a key predictor of DCIS recurrence and primary invasive breast cancer development. We will use a combination of proteomics and glycomics to identify the key ECM components defining dense and non-dense breast tissue in normal, DCIS and invasive breast cancer conditions. The proteins and glycans will then be combined to generate a panel of 6 bespoke hydrogel environments modelling the range of tissue types. We will validate the model using multicellular 3D culture and assay for ECM remodelling by encapsulated cells, directly assessing the ability of our in vitro model system to replicate human breast tissue. Finally, we will incorporate immune cells into the gels, thereby addressing a key feature of animal models that currently separates them from in vitro systems.

Publications

  1. Ashworth JC et al. (2020). Preparation of a User-Defined Peptide Gel for Controlled 3D Culture Models of Cancer and Disease. J. Vis. Exp. 166:e61710. doi: 10.3791/61710
  2. Ashworth JC et al. (2019). Peptide gels of fully-defined composition and mechanics for probing cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in vitro. Matrix Biology in press. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.06.009
  3. Ayerst BI et al. (2017). Growth Differentiation Factor 5-Mediated Enhancement of Chondrocyte Phenotype Is Inhibited by Heparin: Implications for the Use of Heparin in the Clinic and in Tissue Engineering Applications. Tissue Engineering. Part A 23(7-8):275-92. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2016.0364
  4. Deligny A et al. (2016). NDST2 (N-Deacetylase/N-Sulfotransferase-2) Enzyme Regulates Heparan Sulfate Chain Length. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 291(36):18600-18607. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M116.744433
  5. Pijuan-Galitó S et al. (2016). Human serum-derived protein removes the need for coating in defined human pluripotent stem cell culture. Nature Communications 7:12170. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12170
  6. Wan S et al. (2016). Self-assembling peptide hydrogel for intervertebral disc tissue engineering. Acta Biomaterialia 46:29-40. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.09.033