Cytokine profiling of MCF-7 cell line 2D, progressive 3D, and 3D revert cultures.

Cancer cytokines are known to mediate several complex cancer cell physiologies. Also, cancer cells themselves are known to secrete cytokines whose expressions and net inducible results are controlled by a variety of factors. We profiled a few cytokines secreted by 2D, 3D aggregates, and the 3DRs of MCF-7 cell line at various time points. Several cytokines were seen more expressed by 3D cultures on the 4th day and IL-10 peaked on the day 1 of 3D cultures while TNF-α level peaked on the 7th day. α-Defensin, SDF-7, and TGF-β also showed markedly higher levels. There was a reduced expression of IL-6 and IL-17 by the 3DRs. TGF-β did not show much change among the 2D, progressive 3D, and 3DR cultures. Utilizing 3DRs as study material will be a significant extension of the ways cells lines can be used for research.