Feely Sarah, Mullen Nathan, Donlon Padraig T, Reidy Eileen, Challapalli Ritihaas Surya, Hassany Mariam, Sorushanova Anna, Martinez Eduardo Ribes, Owens Peter, Quinn Anne Marie, Pandit Abhay, Harhen Brendan, Finn David P, Hantel Constanze, O'Halloran Martin, Prakash Punit, Dennedy Michael C
Discipline of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, H91 V4AY, Ireland.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CURAM), Biomedical Science Building, University of Galway, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland.
Endocrinology. 2024 Nov 26;166(1). doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqae159.
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy of the adrenal cortex that is associated with a poor prognosis. Developing effective treatment options for ACC is challenging owing to the current lack of representative preclinical models. This study addressed this limitation by developing and characterizing 3-dimensional (3D) cell cultures incorporating the ACC cell lines, MUC-1, HAC15, and H295R in a type I collagen matrix. ACC tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of type I collagen in the tumor microenvironment. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroid secretion was analyzed by comparing the 3D and monolayer cell culture models. All cells were successfully cultured in a type I collagen matrix, which is highly expressed in the ACC tumor microenvironment and showed optimal viability until day 7. All 3 models showed increased metabolic and proliferative activity over time. Three-dimensional cell cultures were steroidogenic and demonstrated increased resistance to the gold standard chemotherapy, mitotane, compared with monolayer. The use of these models may lead to an improved understanding of disease pathology and provide a better representative platform for testing and screening of potential therapies.
Endocrinology. 2024-11-26
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