Novel cost-efficient protein-based membrane system for cells cocultivation and modeling the intercellular communication.

Abstract

In vitro systems serve as compact and manipulate models to investigate interactions between different cell types. A homogeneous population of cells predictably and uniformly responds to external factors. In a heterogeneous cell population, the effect of external growth factors is perceived in the context of intercellular interactions. Indirect cell cocultivation allows one to observe the paracrine effects of cells and separately analyze cell populations. The article describes an application of custom-made cell cocultivation systems based on protein membranes separated from the bottom of the vessel by the 3D printed holder or kept afloat by a magnetic field. Using the proposed cocultivation system, we analyzed the interaction of A549 cells and fibroblasts, in the presence and absence of growth factors. During cocultivation of cells, the expression of genes of the activation for epithelial and mesenchymal transitions decreases. The article proposes the application of a newly available system for the cocultivation of different cell types.