RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Gelatin Sponge as an Anchorage for Three-dimensional Culture of Colorectal Cancer Cells JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 4259 OP 4269 DO 10.21873/anticanres.15230 VO 41 IS 9 A1 MUNEYUKI KOYAMA A1 ERIKA OSADA A1 YUKI TAKEMURA A1 HIDEKI SAITO A1 EMI KIKUCHI A1 MAYUMI NOMURA A1 KAZUNARI SUGIMITSU A1 NOBUTAKE AKIYAMA A1 GO KUWATA A1 KEI-ICHI IKEDA A1 TOSHIAKI TACHIBANA A1 YOSHINOBU MANOME YR 2021 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/41/9/4259.abstract AB Background: Compared to two-dimensional cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have many advantages in cancer studies. Nevertheless, their implementation is unsatisfactory. This study aimed to develop an anchorage-dependent 3D culture model for colorectal cancer research. Materials and Methods: Human HCT116, DLD-1 and SW620 colorectal cell lines were cultured in a gelatin sponge, and its applicability for morphological examination was studied. Results: The resulting specimens were suitable for scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical examination. HCT116 formed smaller structures and migrated through the pores of the sponge. DLD-1 formed larger structures with tight cell-to-cell adhesion. SW620 also formed large structures but small clustered cells tended to attach to the anchorage more favorably. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated phosphorylated yes-associated protein (YAP) localized near the attachment site in HCT116 cells. Conclusion: Because the gelatin sponge provided suitable anchorage and the cultured cells formed distinguishable 3D structures, this method may be useful for further colorectal cancer research.