Abstract
Cell cultures are very important for testing materials and drugs, and in the examination of cell biology and special cell mechanisms. The most popular models of cell culture are two-dimensional (2D) as monolayers, but this does not mimic the natural cell environment. Cells are mostly deprived of cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. A much better in vitro model is three-dimensional (3D) culture. Because many cell lines have the ability to self-assemble, one 3D culturing method is to produce spheroids. There are several systems for culturing cells in spheroids, e.g., hanging drop, scaffolds and hydrogels, and these cultures have their applications in drug and nanoparticles testing, and disease modeling. In this paper we would like to present methods of preparation of spheroids in general and emphasize the most important applications.
Highlights
Cells have been cultured since the 1940s [1], and are generally in use to examine cell biology and molecular mechanisms [2]
In 2D models of Alzheimer disease, removing the medium will mean that secreted amyloid beta (Aß) is discarded and, change the analysis of Aß aggregation. 3D cell cultures can limit the diffusion of Aß into the culture medium [5]
The 3D cell cultures seem to be a suitable tool to improve on the imitations of the simpler 2D cell cultures, which do not simulate the physiological environment precisely as studies on animals
Summary
Cells have been cultured since the 1940s [1], and are generally in use to examine cell biology and molecular mechanisms [2]. The phenotype and functions of each cell are highly dependent on elaborated interactions with neighboring cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and proteins [6]. Those cell–cell and cell–ECM interactions differ from 2D to 3D cultures and between cell layers in spheroids structures, and this can affect cytotoxicity results [7]. For these reasons, testing the toxicity of materials and substances on 2D cell cultures is not exactly predictive of that which might be expected in the body [6,8]. In this paper we would like to outline the methods of spheroid preparation and focus on the most important applications
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
