This protocol describes a technique for monitoring extracellular matrix rigidity changes by using particle-tracking microrheology (PTM). This is done by culturing 3D pancreatic tumor spheroids into ECM with embedded fluorescent probes for video particle-tracking and analysis.
Protocol
1. Preparing 3D Tumor Spheroids Embedded in ECM Prepare a work station with needed materials inside a laminar flow hood. Prepare a diluted mixture of carboxylate-modified 1 μm diameter fluorescent tracer probes by adding 2 parts stock probes (2% solids) to 25 parts sterile water. Remove a bottle of 3.1 mg/ml bovine collagen from the refrigerator and place it on ice. Aliquot 125 μl of collagen into an empty 2 ml vial. Add 50 μl of diluted …
PTM Based Tumor Microenvironment Monitoring: A Method for Tracking Changes in ECM Rigidity Using Tumor Spheroids. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e20323, doi: (2023).