In 2D and 3D cell culture models, effects of endothelial cells on E-cadherin / β-catenin expression levels and spheroid sizes in ishikawa cells

Abstract

Increasing evidence shows that three dimensional cell culture models better reflect the in vivo tumor microenvironment than two dimensional cell culture models. Co-culture models are ideal cell culture models for understanding the communication between cells and the in vivo microenvironment. Changes in expression levels of E-cadherin are closely related to cancer metastasis and progression. β-catenin mediates cell adhesion of E-cadherin. Endothelial cells are stromal cell components in the tumor microenvironment. It is known that there is little or no expression of E-cadherin in endothelial cells.

Methods: In our study, both two-dimensional and three dimensional mono-culture and co-culture models were created using Huvec and Ishikawa cells (endometrial cancer cell lines) to better reflect cell interactions. Spheroids were followed for three days in the three-dimensional cell culture model. E-cadherin and β-catenin expression levels of two-dimensional and three dimensional mono-culture and co-culture models were measured by immunofluorescence staining. Spheroid images were recorded using a Z-stack. Intensity measurements in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mono-culture and co-culture models were made using the Image J software. Study groups were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA). Values of p <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The size of the co-culture spheroids was recorded significantly larger than the mono-culture spheroids (p <0.0001). In two (p = 0.0175) and three dimensional models (p <0.0001), expression levels of E-cadherin in the mono-culture of Ishikawa cells were recorded significantly higher than in Huvec and co-culture cells. Likewise, while the expression levels of β-catenin were higher in the mono-culture of Ishikawa cells in two-dimensional models (p <0.05), no significant difference was observed in three dimensional models (p> 0.05).

Conclusion: In summary, it has been noted that the expression levels of E-cadherin are significantly reduced in co-cultures of Ishikawa cells with Huvec cells in both two and three dimensions . These results support the idea that endothelial cells may cause changes in endometrial cancer progression by suppressing E-cadherin expression in Ishikawa cells.