Gene expression profiling of neuroendocrine (NE) and non-neuroendocrine (non-NE) cells derived from ex vivo cultures of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) circulating tumour cell-derived explant (CDX) model

To determine molecular processes in vasculogenic mimicry (VM) competent human SCLC CDX, we profiled gene expression by RNA sequencing in separated NE (VM deficient) and non-NE (VM competent) cells from four CDX cultured on plastic or on Matrigel. Overall design: Ex vivo cultures of SCLC CDX contain mixtures of suspension (NE) and adherent (non-NE) cells. Separated adherent and suspension cultures were established from four CDX and grown on plastic or Matrigel. Formation of branching networks by cells on Matrigel is an established in vitro surrogate assay for VM competence. When NE and non-NE cell subpopulations were cultured on Matrigel only the non-NE adherent cells formed branching VM networks. To test the hypothesis that a VM-specific signature would be observed only in non-NE cells forming VM networks on Matrigel, RNA sequencing of NE and non-NE CDX cells cultured on plastic or Matrigel for 24 hours was performed.