Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Incorporated Multilayer Film Induces Preangiogenesis in Endothelial Cells.

Scaffolds featuring chemically immobilized growth factors have been developed to enhance cellular functions and maintain growth factor bioactivity. However, problems including cytotoxicity and growth factor structural deformation may occur during growth factor conjugation, which can negatively affect the cells. Therefore, we designed a method to improve the long-term storage of growth factors and the target cells' ability to undergo angiogenesis by incorporating the primary proangiogenic growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into a multilayer film.

Desmoplastic Reaction in 3D-Pancreatic Cancer Tissues Suppresses Molecular Permeability.

The survival rate of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is still the lowest among all types of cancers, primarily as a consequence of an important desmoplastic reaction. Although the presence of thick stromal tissues in pancreatic tumors has been reported, in vivo animal studies do not enable a clear understanding of the crosstalk between cancer cells and fibroblasts. Accordingly, this paper reports the design and characterization of an in vitro pancreatic cancer-stromal 3D-tissue model, which enhances the understanding of the interactions between cancer cells and fibroblasts and their influence on the secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM).