mcf 7  (ATCC)

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Ribbon-shaped microgels as bioinks for 3D bioprinting of anisotropic tissue structures

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.12.040

Figure Lengend Snippet: μRB bioinks support multicellular patterning to model breast cancer-bone invasion at tissue interface. (A) Schematic of experimental design: bioprinting of MSCs and osteogenic differentiation to derive bone grid, followed by injection of breast cancer bioink, and monitoring invasion over time using confocal microscopy. (B) Confocal images of MSCs (red) after printing (Scale bar = 1 mm). (C) Confocal images of scaffold sections containing CellTracker-labeled MSCs (red) after 28 days of osteogenic differentiation and GFP + MDA-MB-231 cells extruded into the open pores of the grids (green) (Scale bar = 200 μm). (D) Confocal images of patterned MSC-derived bone (red) with MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells (green) after 14 days of co-culture (Scale bar = 1 mm). (E) Quantification of breast cancer cell invasion: percentage that remain in open pores vs. invading into the MSC-bone compartment (n = 5 per group). Values are reported as mean ± S.D. and p-values were determined by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's multiple comparisons test; ∗∗p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗p ≤ 0.005, ∗∗∗∗p ≤ 0.001.

Article Snippet: Breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 (ATCC) and MCF-7 (ATCC) were lentivirus transduced to express GFP and cultured in DMEM media (4.5 g L −1 glucose) supplemented with 10 % (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 1 % (v/v) penicillin-streptomycin.

Techniques: Injection, Confocal Microscopy, Labeling, Derivative Assay, Co-Culture Assay

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Expanding the toolbox of bioorthogonal activation of photosensitizers for precise photodynamic therapy through transition metal-mediated deallylation

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102797

Figure Lengend Snippet: (a) Fluorescence confocal images of HeLa, 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH 3T3 cells after incubation with Pro-BDP-3 (5.0 μM) for 2 h with or without further incubation with RuL2 or RuL3 (2.5 μM) for a further 4 h (red fluorescence; λ ex = 633 nm, λ em = 650–900 nm). The cells being incubated with BDP-COOH (5.0 μM) for 2 h were used as the positive control. The cell nuclei were stained with Hoechst (1.0 μM) for 15 min (blue fluorescence; λ ex = 405 nm, λ em = 420–500 nm). Scale bar = 20 μm. (b) Corresponding mean red fluorescence intensities quantified by ImageJ. Data are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for three independent experiments (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). (c) Fluorescence confocal images of HeLa, 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH 3T3 cells after the aforementioned treatments and further incubation with H 2 DCFDA (10 μM) for 30 min, followed by light irradiation (λ > 610 nm, 25.8 mW/cm 2 ) for 8 min to give a total fluence of 12 J/cm 2 (green fluorescence; λ ex = 488 nm, λ em = 493–550 nm). Scale bar = 20 μm. (d) Corresponding mean green fluorescence intensities of DCF quantified by ImageJ. Data are reported as the mean ± SEM for three independent experiments (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). (e) Dark and photo (λ > 610 nm, 25.8 mW/cm 2 , 12 J/cm 2 ) cytotoxicity of BDP-COOH , Pro-BDP-3 , RuL2 , Pro-BDP-3 + RuL2 , RuL3 , and Pro-BDP-3 + RuL3 against HeLa, 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH 3T3 cells. The cells were incubated with BDP-COOH , Pro-BDP-3 , RuL2 , or RuL3 for 2 h. For Pro-BDP-3 + RuL2 and Pro-BDP-3 + RuL3 , the cells were first incubated with Pro-BDP-3 for 2 h and then with RuL2 or RuL3 (0.5 equiv.) for a further 4 h. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, each performed in quadruplicate. (f) Photocytotoxicity of these agents at 5.0 μM and the combination treatments at 5.0 μM of Pro-BDP-3 against the four cell lines. The rightmost figure compiles the results for Pro-BDP-3 + RuL3 (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, each performed in quadruplicate. (g) Live/dead cell viability assay using calcein-AM and PI. The cells were treated as described above, followed by incubation with calcein-AM (1 μM) and PI (2 μM) in binding buffer (2 mL) at 37 °C for 30 min. The live cells were indicated by the green fluorescence of calcein-AM (λ ex = 488 nm, λ em = 493–550 nm), while the dead cells were indicated by the red fluorescence of PI (λ ex = 561 nm, λ em = 600–800 nm). Scale bar = 50 μm. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Article Snippet: The HeLa human cervical cancer cells (ATCC, CCL-2), 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma cells (ATCC, CRL-2539), MCF-7 human breast cancer cells (ATCC, HTB-22), and NIH 3T3 murine embryonic fibroblast cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM, ThermoFisher, cat. no. 11965092) supplemented with fetal calf serum (10 %) and penicillin-streptomycin (100 unit/mL and 100 μg/mL, respectively).

Techniques: Fluorescence, Incubation, Positive Control, Staining, Irradiation, Viability Assay, Binding Assay

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Expanding the toolbox of bioorthogonal activation of photosensitizers for precise photodynamic therapy through transition metal-mediated deallylation

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102797

Figure Lengend Snippet: (a) Fluorescence confocal images of HeLa, 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH 3T3 cells after incubation with Pro-BDP-3 (5.0 μM) for 2 h with or without further incubation with RuL2 or RuL3 (2.5 μM) for a further 4 h (red fluorescence; λ ex = 633 nm, λ em = 650–900 nm). The cells being incubated with BDP-COOH (5.0 μM) for 2 h were used as the positive control. The cell nuclei were stained with Hoechst (1.0 μM) for 15 min (blue fluorescence; λ ex = 405 nm, λ em = 420–500 nm). Scale bar = 20 μm. (b) Corresponding mean red fluorescence intensities quantified by ImageJ. Data are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for three independent experiments (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). (c) Fluorescence confocal images of HeLa, 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH 3T3 cells after the aforementioned treatments and further incubation with H 2 DCFDA (10 μM) for 30 min, followed by light irradiation (λ > 610 nm, 25.8 mW/cm 2 ) for 8 min to give a total fluence of 12 J/cm 2 (green fluorescence; λ ex = 488 nm, λ em = 493–550 nm). Scale bar = 20 μm. (d) Corresponding mean green fluorescence intensities of DCF quantified by ImageJ. Data are reported as the mean ± SEM for three independent experiments (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). (e) Dark and photo (λ > 610 nm, 25.8 mW/cm 2 , 12 J/cm 2 ) cytotoxicity of BDP-COOH , Pro-BDP-3 , RuL2 , Pro-BDP-3 + RuL2 , RuL3 , and Pro-BDP-3 + RuL3 against HeLa, 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH 3T3 cells. The cells were incubated with BDP-COOH , Pro-BDP-3 , RuL2 , or RuL3 for 2 h. For Pro-BDP-3 + RuL2 and Pro-BDP-3 + RuL3 , the cells were first incubated with Pro-BDP-3 for 2 h and then with RuL2 or RuL3 (0.5 equiv.) for a further 4 h. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, each performed in quadruplicate. (f) Photocytotoxicity of these agents at 5.0 μM and the combination treatments at 5.0 μM of Pro-BDP-3 against the four cell lines. The rightmost figure compiles the results for Pro-BDP-3 + RuL3 (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, each performed in quadruplicate. (g) Live/dead cell viability assay using calcein-AM and PI. The cells were treated as described above, followed by incubation with calcein-AM (1 μM) and PI (2 μM) in binding buffer (2 mL) at 37 °C for 30 min. The live cells were indicated by the green fluorescence of calcein-AM (λ ex = 488 nm, λ em = 493–550 nm), while the dead cells were indicated by the red fluorescence of PI (λ ex = 561 nm, λ em = 600–800 nm). Scale bar = 50 μm. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Article Snippet: The HeLa human cervical cancer cells (ATCC, CCL-2), 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma cells (ATCC, CRL-2539), MCF-7 human breast cancer cells (ATCC, HTB-22), and NIH 3T3 murine embryonic fibroblast cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM, ThermoFisher, cat. no. 11965092) supplemented with fetal calf serum (10 %) and penicillin-streptomycin (100 unit/mL and 100 μg/mL, respectively).

Techniques: Fluorescence, Incubation, Positive Control, Staining, Irradiation, Viability Assay, Binding Assay

Journal: Biotechnology Reports

Article Title: Indole-alkaloid–rich fraction of Ervatamia coronaria leaf extract regresses breast cancer by inducing apoptotic cell death

doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00937

Figure Lengend Snippet: DFE kills both MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells [ A. ] Bar graph representing cytotoxicity of DFE in MDA-MB-231, MCF7, and human kidney epithelial (NKE) cells, measured by MTT assay after treatment with increasing concentrations of DFE (0–200 µg/ml) for 24 h. Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 3); ns, not significant; ***, P = 0.0002, ****, P < 0.0001. IC 50 and selectivity index (SI) values of treated cells for 24 h as indicated (boxed). [ B. ] Representative phase-contrast image showing the effect of DFE on the migration potential of MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells obtained by wound healing assay. Both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with DMSO/vehicle or DFE at the indicated concentrations for different durations after the scratches were made. [ C. ] Morphology of cells in the sensitivity assay, obtained by variable pressure scanning electron microscopy following the indicated treatments for 24 h. The lower panel shows a magnified view, as indicated. Scale bar and magnification for the upper panel are 25 µm and 1000X, respectively. Bar graphs (on the right-hand side, 1 K µm 2 =1000 µm 2 ) showed changes in mean cellular area of MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and NKE cells, respectively, after treatment with DMSO/vehicle and DFE at different concentrations for 24 h, as indicated. 1, 2, and 3 represent the control, DFE 50 µg/ml, and DFE 100 µg/ml, respectively. Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 6 cells from 3 randomly chosen fields (2 cells from each field) ( N = 3). Significance consideration according to *P<0.05, **P <0.01, *** <0.001, ****P<0.0001. Bar graphs (right-hand side) showed the changes in the number of mean rounded cells ( n = 3) of MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and NKE cells, respectively, after treatment with DMSO/vehicle and DFE at different concentrations for 24 h, as indicated. 1, 2, and 3 represent the control, DFE 50 µg/ml, and DFE 100 µg/ml, respectively. MRC is the abbreviation for mean rounded cells/field. Significance consideration according to *P<0.05, **P <0.01, *** <0.001, ****P<0.0001. [ D. ] Super-resolution laser scanning confocal images show the formation of agglomerated stabilized actin fibres (Alexa Fluor 488 R tagged- actin poison phalloidin in green and nucleus was stained with Hoechst 33342, in blue) in MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and NKE cells after treatment with DMSO/vehicle or DFE at the indicated concentrations for 16 h. Latrunculin B was used as a positive control. Bar graph representing the estimation of thickness (relative actin filament thickness or RAFT) of individual agglomerated fibres. Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 6 cells from 3 randomly chosen fields). Scale bar-25 µm. Magnification at 100x oil lens.

Article Snippet: Human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and regular cell line NKE (normal kidney epithelial) /or murine breast cancer cell line 4T1(all procured from ATCC), were cultured with DMEM (Gibco) and RPMI1640 (Gibco), respectively supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum (cat no- 16,000–044, Gibco), 1 mM l -glutamine, 50 μg/ml penicillin, streptomycin (50 μg/ml, Himedia) and amphotericin B (2.5 μg/ml, Himedia), gentamycin (50 mg/ml, Himedia) and non-essential amino acids (Himedia) at 37 °C with 5 % CO 2 in a humidified incubator (Heracell vios 160i from Thermo Scientific) [ , ].

Techniques: MTT Assay, Migration, Wound Healing Assay, Sensitive Assay, Electron Microscopy, Control, Staining, Positive Control

Journal: Biotechnology Reports

Article Title: Indole-alkaloid–rich fraction of Ervatamia coronaria leaf extract regresses breast cancer by inducing apoptotic cell death

doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00937

Figure Lengend Snippet: DFE treatment induces mitochondrial ROS. [ A. ] Mitosox Red™ staining after treatment with DFE for 6 h, indicating ROS generation, as visualized in MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and NKE cells by confocal microscopy (at 63x oil lens). Nuclear co-staining was done with Hoechst 33342 (blue). Doxorubicin was used as a positive control—scale bar-25 µm. [ B. ] Representative bar graphs estimating the corresponding ROS levels (Mitosox Red ™ intensity). Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 3); ns, not significant; Significance considered according to *P<0.05, **P <0.01, *** <0.001, ****P<0.0001.

Article Snippet: Human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and regular cell line NKE (normal kidney epithelial) /or murine breast cancer cell line 4T1(all procured from ATCC), were cultured with DMEM (Gibco) and RPMI1640 (Gibco), respectively supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum (cat no- 16,000–044, Gibco), 1 mM l -glutamine, 50 μg/ml penicillin, streptomycin (50 μg/ml, Himedia) and amphotericin B (2.5 μg/ml, Himedia), gentamycin (50 mg/ml, Himedia) and non-essential amino acids (Himedia) at 37 °C with 5 % CO 2 in a humidified incubator (Heracell vios 160i from Thermo Scientific) [ , ].

Techniques: Staining, Confocal Microscopy, Positive Control

Journal: Biotechnology Reports

Article Title: Indole-alkaloid–rich fraction of Ervatamia coronaria leaf extract regresses breast cancer by inducing apoptotic cell death

doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00937

Figure Lengend Snippet: Pre-treatment of cells with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) protects cells from DFE-induced toxicity [ A.] Total cellular ROS was determined by DFCDA staining through flow cytometry. Breast cancer cell lines MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and NKE were treated with 50µg/ml DFE for 6 h with or without pre-treatment with NAC. Doxorubicin (2.5 µM) was used as a positive control. DFE treatment in breast cancer cell lines produced highly fluorescent DCF-positive cells, which were determined by the entry of DCF-positive cells in the DCF-positive threshold box or by the right-shift of the population curve, compared to the control. NAC pre-treatment reduced the DCF-positive cell population. [ B. ] Representative bar graph showing protection of breast cancer cells from DFE-induced death, upon pre-treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Cells were treated with 10 mM NAC for 3 h before DFE treatment for 24 h. Doxorubicin was used for the positive control. Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 3); Significance considered according to *P<0.05, **P <0.01, *** <0.001, ****P<0.0001.

Article Snippet: Human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and regular cell line NKE (normal kidney epithelial) /or murine breast cancer cell line 4T1(all procured from ATCC), were cultured with DMEM (Gibco) and RPMI1640 (Gibco), respectively supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum (cat no- 16,000–044, Gibco), 1 mM l -glutamine, 50 μg/ml penicillin, streptomycin (50 μg/ml, Himedia) and amphotericin B (2.5 μg/ml, Himedia), gentamycin (50 mg/ml, Himedia) and non-essential amino acids (Himedia) at 37 °C with 5 % CO 2 in a humidified incubator (Heracell vios 160i from Thermo Scientific) [ , ].

Techniques: Staining, Flow Cytometry, Positive Control, Produced, Control

Journal: Biotechnology Reports

Article Title: Indole-alkaloid–rich fraction of Ervatamia coronaria leaf extract regresses breast cancer by inducing apoptotic cell death

doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00937

Figure Lengend Snippet: DFE-induced cell death in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells involves apoptotic and autophagy mechanisms [ A .- B. ]. Immunoblots of whole cell extracts of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were pre-treated with indicated concentrations of DFE for 24 h. Cellular markers tested as indicated. Beta-actin was used as an internal loading control. Relative fold changes of protein expression levels given below, were normalized with the loading control, Beta-actin. [ C. ] Immunoblots of indicated cellular marker, PARP1 of extracts of NKE cells pre-treated with indicated doses of DFE and doxorubicin (positive control) for 24 h. Beta-actin was used as an internal loading control. Relative fold changes of protein expression are given below, which were normalized with the loading control, Beta-actin. [ D. ] DFE induces cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 phase in both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Cytofluorimetric analysis of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells treated with DMSO (vehicle control) and DFE at different concentrations as indicated for 24 h. [ E. ] Cytofluorimetric analysis of cytochrome C release after treatment of DFE and/or vehicle for 20 h. Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 3), P = 0.0047 for MCF7 and P = 0.0011 for MDA-MB-231; Significance considered according to *P<0.05, **P <0.01, *** <0.001, ****P<0.0001. [ F. ] Bar graphs representing cell viability of respective cell lines after treatment with DFE (50 µg/ml). Cells were pre-treated with Z-VAD-FMK (pan-caspase inhibitor) or chloroquine (autophagy inhibitor) as indicated.

Article Snippet: Human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and regular cell line NKE (normal kidney epithelial) /or murine breast cancer cell line 4T1(all procured from ATCC), were cultured with DMEM (Gibco) and RPMI1640 (Gibco), respectively supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum (cat no- 16,000–044, Gibco), 1 mM l -glutamine, 50 μg/ml penicillin, streptomycin (50 μg/ml, Himedia) and amphotericin B (2.5 μg/ml, Himedia), gentamycin (50 mg/ml, Himedia) and non-essential amino acids (Himedia) at 37 °C with 5 % CO 2 in a humidified incubator (Heracell vios 160i from Thermo Scientific) [ , ].

Techniques: Western Blot, Control, Expressing, Marker, Positive Control

Journal: Biotechnology Reports

Article Title: Indole-alkaloid–rich fraction of Ervatamia coronaria leaf extract regresses breast cancer by inducing apoptotic cell death

doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2025.e00937

Figure Lengend Snippet: DFE induces apoptotic death in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, as observed by annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) dual staining. [ A.-D. ] Confocal images of MCF7 ( A ) and MDA-MB-231 ( C ) cells pre-treated with indicated doses of DFE (in µg/ml), DMSO, or doxorubicin (1.25 µM, as positive control) for 24 h were stained with annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) (laser scanning confocal microscope images through 63x oil lens). Hoechst 33342 stained the nuclei—scale bar- 25 µm. Bar graphs B and D represent the estimation of panels A and C, respectively. BF, bright fields. The dose-dependent increase of cell death was represented by a scatter plot based on LAS X analysis of the obtained images. Bar graphs representing the relative intensity of annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) in treatment groups. Error bar, mean ± SD ( n = 3); *P<0.05, **P <0.01, *** <0.001, ****P<0.0001.

Article Snippet: Human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and regular cell line NKE (normal kidney epithelial) /or murine breast cancer cell line 4T1(all procured from ATCC), were cultured with DMEM (Gibco) and RPMI1640 (Gibco), respectively supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum (cat no- 16,000–044, Gibco), 1 mM l -glutamine, 50 μg/ml penicillin, streptomycin (50 μg/ml, Himedia) and amphotericin B (2.5 μg/ml, Himedia), gentamycin (50 mg/ml, Himedia) and non-essential amino acids (Himedia) at 37 °C with 5 % CO 2 in a humidified incubator (Heracell vios 160i from Thermo Scientific) [ , ].

Techniques: Staining, Positive Control, Microscopy