Abstract
Much interest has been directed towards stem cells, both in basic and translational research, to understand basic stem cell biology and to develop new therapies for many disorders. In general, stem cells can be cultured with relative ease, however, most common culture methods for stem cells employ 2D techniques using plastic. These cultures do not well represent the stem cell niches in the body, which are delicate microenvironments composed of not only stem cells, but also supporting stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and growth factors. Therefore, researchers and clinicians have been seeking optimal stem cell preparations for basic research and clinical applications, and these might be attainable through 3D culture of stem cells. The 3D cultures recapitulate the in vivo cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions more effectively, and the cells in 3D cultures exhibit many unique and desirable characteristics. The culture of stem cells in 3D may employ various matrices or scaffolds, in addition to the cells, to support the complex structures. The goal of this Special Issue is to bring together recent research on 3D cultures of various stem cells to increase the basic understanding of stem cells and culture techniques, and also highlight stem cell preparations for possible novel therapeutic applications.
Highlights
Stem cells are cells that demonstrate the abilities to self-renew and differentiate
Stem cells are typically cultured in 2D tissue culture plastic for ease and maximal expansion, as large numbers are often needed for translational research and therapies
Many desired cellular characteristics are maintained or even promoted in 3D cultures, further supporting their use in basic and translational research. In this Special Issue, recent advances in the 3D cultures of stem cells are highlighted, bringing together a collection of articles presenting various stem cell types and their characteristics in 3D environments. This Special Issue includes articles highlighting the effective use of induced pluripotent stem cells to develop cardiac microtissue [1], neurospheres [2], and cortical progenitors [3]
Summary
Stem cells are cells that demonstrate the abilities to self-renew and differentiate. Many types of stem cells can be isolated from embryonic or adult tissues, varying in their potency from pluripotent to unipotent depending on the stem cell type. Many desired cellular characteristics are maintained or even promoted in 3D cultures, further supporting their use in basic and translational research. In this Special Issue, recent advances in the 3D cultures of stem cells are highlighted, bringing together a collection of articles presenting various stem cell types and their characteristics in 3D environments.
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