3D collagen-based scaffolds for biophysical tumour microenvironment studies

3D scaffolds collagen I-based were crosslinked with different percentages of 1, 4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE) to mimic native tissue and tumour tissue. Normal fibroblasts (NFs) or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were added to the system to assess how mechanical features influence stromal compartment in native or tumour-like systems. Total RNA was obtained from normal fibroblasts (NFs) or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) cultured for 7 days on stiff collagen scaffolds (St - 1% BDDGE) or soft scaffold (So - 0.01% BDDGE). 2D NFs or CAFs were used as controls.