Attenuating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer through angiopoietin-like 4 inhibition in a 3D tumor microenvironment model.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in metastatic cancer progression, and current research, which relies heavily on 2D monolayer cultures, falls short in recapitulating the complexity of a 3D tumor microenvironment. To address this limitation, we conducted a transcriptomic meta-analysis on diverse cancer types undergoing EMT in 2D and 3D cultures. We found that mechanotransduction was elevated in 3D cultures and further intensified during EMT, but not during 2D EMT. Our analysis revealed a distinct 3D EMT gene signature, characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling coordinated by angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) along with other canonical EMT regulators. Utilizing hydrogel-based 3D matrices with adjustable mechanical forces, we established 3D cancer cultures at varying physiological stiffness levels. We observed a YAP:EGR-1 mediated up-regulation of Angptl4 expression, accompanied by an upregulation of mesenchymal markers, at higher stiffness during cancer EMT. Suppression of Angptl4 using antisense oligonucleotides or anti-cAngptl4 antibodies led to a dose-dependent abolishment of EMT-mediated chemoresistance and tumor self-organization in 3D, ultimately resulting in diminished metastatic potential and stunted growth of tumor xenografts. Our unique programmable 3D cancer cultures simulated stiffness levels in the tumor microenvironment and unveiled Angptl4 as a promising therapeutic target to inhibit EMT and impede cancer progression. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.