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. 2021 Sep 29;7(40):eabh0363. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abh0363

Fig. 4. Manipulation of tumor-ECM feedback by FAKi priming improves KPC cell sensitivity to gemcitabine/Abraxane in organotypic matrices.

Fig. 4.

(A and B) Schematic representation of an organotypic invasion assay where matrices were primed with vehicle (A) or FAKi (B) during contraction followed by FAKi washout, KPC cell seeding, 11-day invasion without drug treatment, and then 72 hours of gemcitabine (Gem) and Abraxane treatment. (C and D) Representative images of KPC cancer cells, stained for CC3 in vehicle or FAKi-primed matrices treated with control or gemcitabine/Abraxane (C) (scale bars, 50 μm; zoomed scale bar, 50 μm; arrows highlight positive cells) with quantification of CC3-positive cells invading into and on top of matrices (D). (E and F) Representative images of KPC cancer cells, stained for Ki67 in vehicle- or FAKi-primed matrices treated with control or gemcitabine/Abraxane (E) (scale bars, 50 μm; zoomed scale bar, 50 μm) with quantification of Ki67-positive cells invading into and on top of matrices (F). n = 3 biological repeats, 3 matrices per repeat, and 3 FOVs per matrix for quantification. Results: means ± SEM. P values were determined using an ordinary one-way ANOVA with Tukey correction for multiple comparisons. Unless otherwise indicated, significance is compared to vehicle. ns, P > 0.05; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001.