The importance of the microenvironment is widely recognized as it regulates not only malignant cell behavior but also drug sensitivity. The cancer cell microenvironment is composed of biological, physical and chemical elements, and simultaneous reproduction of these three elements are important conditions investigated in cancer research. In the present study, we focused on the epidemiological and anatomical specificities of endometrioid carcinoma, obesity (biological), fluid flow (physical) and anticancer agents (chemical) to target the specific microenvironmental elements of endometrioid carcinoma. To elucidate the individual effects of these elements on endometrioid carcinoma and to investigate the relationships between these factors, we developed an adipose tissue fragments (ATFs)-embedded cell disc under a rotational culture method to generate carcinoma-stroma interactions and to create fluid flow. ATFs and fluid flow individually or synergistically influenced proliferative cellular behavior and the morphological changes underlying endometrioid carcinoma. ATFs and fluid flow also governed the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 signaling synergistically or individually, depending on the endometrioid carcinoma cell type. Adipose tissue induced chemoresistance to cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (CDDP) in endometrioid cancer, but the resistance effect was abolished by fluid flow. Thus, a simple reconstructed model was established to investigate three elements of the microenvironment of endometrioid carcinoma in vitro. This culture model unequivocally demonstrated the individual and synergistic effects of the three elements on endometrioid carcinoma. This new culture model is a promising tool for elucidating the mechanisms underlying endometrioid carcinoma and for developing further treatment strategies.
Keywords: Adipocyte; Cancer microenvironment; Chemoresistance; Endometrioid carcinoma; Shear stress.
© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Human Cell Society.