Mimicking Mechanical Features of the Tumor Microenvironment

Abstract

Under physiological native conditions, human connective tissues foster optimal survival, growth, proliferation, function, differentiation, regeneration, migration, invasion, and death of tissue cells. However, under pathological conditions, connective tissues support deregulated mechanophenotypes that then alter cell and tissue functions. Mimicking the mechanical cues of the native tissue microenvironment employing several three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture systems in vitro has been proposed to be promising in cancer diagnosis and treatment. There have been great advances on biomaterial, architecture, and application levels. These attainments are founded on a detailed comprehension of functionalities of multiple tissue cells, biocompatibility and biodegradability of framework-forming biomaterials, biologically and biophysically functional determinants in native tissues, and pathophysiological constraints of the native tissue microenvironment. In this chapter, biophysical cues of the tissue microenvironment with a focus on cancer are discussed and compared to physiological functions of tissues, including repair and regeneration mechanisms. Mimicking mechanical features of the tumor environment encompasses the spatial microenvironment in vitro, which is far below the dimensionality of tissues, embedded components, architectural cues, and physical aspects. Finally, combining the effects of tissue-specific cells on cancer tissue and the tumor microenvironment with the microenvironmental mechanophenotype is crucial to better understand disease conditions and develop novel approaches to cancer treatment.