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CytoMatrix for a reliable and simple characterization of lung cancer stem cells from malignant pleural effusions
Author(s) -
Bruschini Sara,
di Martino Simona,
Pisanu Maria Elena,
Fattore Luigi,
De Vitis Claudia,
Laquintana Valentina,
Buglioni Simonetta,
Tabbì Eugenio,
Cerri Andrea,
Visca Paolo,
Alessandrini Gabriele,
Facciolo Francesco,
Napoli Christian,
Trombetta Marcella,
Santoro Antonio,
Crescenzi Anna,
Ciliberto Gennaro,
Mancini Rita
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.29121
Subject(s) - cancer stem cell , lung cancer , cancer research , biology , cancer cell , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , wnt signaling pathway , cancer , medicine , genetics , signal transduction
Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation with the properties of extensive self‐renewal, capability to generate differentiated cancer cells and resistance to therapies. We have previously shown that malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) from patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represent a valuable source of cancer cells that can be grown as three‐dimensional (3D) spheroids enriched for stem‐like features, which depend on the activation of the Yes‐associated protein‐transcriptional coactivator with PDZ‐binding motif (YAP‐TAZ)/Wnt‐βcatenin/stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) axis. Here, we describe a novel support, called CytoMatrix, for the characterization of limited amounts of cancer cells isolated from MPEs of patients with NSCLC. Our results show that this synthetic matrix allows an easy and fast characterization of several epithelial cellular markers. The use of CytoMatrix to study CSCs subpopulation confirms that SCD1 protein expression is enhanced in 3D spheroids when compared with 2D adherent cell cultures. YAP/TAZ nuclear‐cytoplasmic distribution analysed by CytoMatrix in 3D spheroids is highly heterogeneous and faithfully reproduces what is observed in tumour biopsies. Our results confirm and extend the robustness of our workflow for the isolation and phenotypic characterization of primary cancer cells derived from the lung MPEs and underscore the role of SCD1.