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. 2017 Dec 8;9(2):2058–2075. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.23156

Figure 3. 3D microenvironment in AmCA hydrogels enhances the expression of tumor aggressiveness factors in 3D lymphoma spheroids compared to their 2D cultures.

Figure 3

(A) RT-PCR demonstrates upregulated gene expression of Notch (Notch-1, -2, -3, and -4) and its downstream molecules (Hes-1 and Hey-1) important in tumor promotion and progression in 3D spheroids compared to 2D culture. Bar graphs depict densitometry quantitation of Notch, Hes-1, and Hey-1 mRNA expression normalized to GAPDH mRNA. Western blot demonstrates upregulated expression of (B) MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and (C) VEGF proteins important in tumor progression and metastasis in 3D spheroids compared to 2D culture. Bar graphs depict densitometry quantitation of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF protein expression normalized to β-actin. Data represent the means ± SD of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001 versus the control.