Fig. 1

CAF-generated ECM protects PDAC cells from eribulin-induced growth inhibition. A Growth effects imparted by eribulin vs. paclitaxel on Panc-1 vs. CAFs, measured via Alamar Blue assay, using classical 2D culturing conditions. Graphs show the percentage of viable cells, compared to DMSO vehicle control. Drugs were used at the stated concentrations for 5 days. Experiments were repeated 4 times using a minimum of 4 replicates per experimental condition. B Illustration depicting experimental conditions whereby RFP-expressing Panc-1 cells cultured within decellularized CAF-generated CDMs (blue) were treated daily with eribulin (red). C Graph indicating fold cell-growth values normalized to each condition at day 0 and measured every 24 h for 120 h. Values shown represent means and standard errors, while asterisks are indicative of a nonparametric t-test, used to compare between data sets at 120 h; * P < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** P < 0.001; **** p < 0.000. D Representative images of Panc-1 cell area coverages at baseline (time 0) and 120 h, using 2D and 3D conditions showing DMSO vehicle and eribulin treatments. Fold area coverage increases are listed in yellow as fold growth. Scale bar corresponds to 100 μm (white)