cells Article Development of a Stromal Microenvironment Experimental Model Containing Proto-Myofibroblast Like Cells and Analysis of Its Crosstalk with Melanoma Cells: A New Tool to Potentiate and Stabilize Tumor Suppressor Phenotype of Dermal Myofibroblasts Angelica Avagliano 1, Maria Rosaria Ruocco 2, Rosarita Nasso 2,3, Federica Aliotta 2, Gennaro Sanità 2, Antonino Iaccarino 1, Claudio Bellevicine 1, Gaetano Calì 4 , Giuseppe Fiume 5 , Stefania Masone 6, Mariorosario Masullo 3 , Stefania Montagnani 1 and Alessandro Arcucci 1,* 1 Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy 2 Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy 3 Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples ‘Parthenope’, 80133 Naples, Italy 4 IEOS Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale ‘G. Salvatore’, National Council of Research, 80131 Naples, Italy 5 Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro ‘Magna Graecia’, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy 6 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +39-081-7463422 Received: 27 September 2019; Accepted: 12 November 2019; Published: 14 November 2019 Abstract: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive solid tumors and includes a stromal microenvironment that regulates cancer growth and progression. The components of stromal microenvironment such as fibroblasts, fibroblast aggregates and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can differently influence the melanoma growth during its distinct stages. In this work, we have developed and studied a stromal microenvironment model, represented by fibroblasts, proto-myofibroblasts, myofibroblasts and aggregates of inactivated myofibroblasts, such as spheroids.