PMC

Upper panel: 3D ECM scaffolds are utilized to investigate tumor-EC interactions (A) in vitro and (B) in-vivo. Middle panel: Micropatterning is utilized (A) to evaluate vascular cell behaviors on geometrically patterned arrays of ECM, (B) to investigate tumor cell behaviors on ECM proteins to evaluate (i) angiogenic cytokine secretion and (ii) adhesion and migration, and (C) to assess tumor-EC interactions including (i) tumor cell-directed invasion of ECs into gels and (ii) ECs and tumor cells co-culture in 3D ECM scaffolds. Lower panel: Microfluidic devices are utilized (A) to evaluate vascular cell responses to physical and chemical gradients, delineate the tumor-EC interactions taking place within a controlled environment and (B) to study vascular morphogenesis taking place in the presence and absence of tumor cells in 3D ECM scaffolds. Drawing not to scale.