Applied Sciences

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Dear Colleagues,

Three-dimensional (3D) models of cell cultures constitute highly important preclinical approaches to study cancer in vitro. The most common 3D models include spheroids and organoids. Other approaches include air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of epithelia of the human body, i.e., the skin, the intestine, and the lung. The 3D models offer more physiological micro environment by maintaining the in vivo tumor cell type composition and tissue architecture. Cells grown in 3D resemble in vivo conditions more closely also in terms of cell protein, gene expression, and cell metabolism. Moreover, 3D models are more amenable to low cost and high-throughput research needs, and it may be possible to individualize patient care through prospective modeling of drug sensitivity in patient-derived 3D cultures. The purpose of this Special Issue is to attract publications that report on complex cancer cell cultures in vitro with the aim to better understand applications such as treatment, detection, drug delivery, and protocol development for 3D cultures.

Prof. Dr. Anette Gjörloff Wingren
Dr. Anna Gustafsson
Dr. Michal Masarik
Guest Editors

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Keywords

3D cell cultures
cancer
detection
imaging
microscopy
tumor microenvironment
tumor metabolism

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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6 pages, 1000 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Colorectal Cancer Cell Spheroids Co-Cultured with Molecularly Imprinted Fluorescent Particles Targeting Sialic Acid Show Preserved Cell Viability

by Thomas Sjöberg, Zahra El-Schich, Knut Rurack and Anette Gjörloff Wingren

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5330; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095330 - 24 Apr 2023

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Abstract

In vitro cultured 3D models of CRC have been demonstrated to hold considerable worth in drug discovery, drug resistance analysis, and in studying cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that occur in the tumor microenvironment. The 3D models resemble the in vivo physiological microenvironment by replicating the cell type composition and tissue architecture. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been investigated for use instead of antibodies against small non-immunogenic structures, such as sialic acid (SA). Glyco-conjugates including SA are present on all cells, and often deregulated on cancer cells. Here, we present a novel approach for targeting and detecting colorectal cancer cells (CRC) by using in vitro cultured HT29 3D spheroids co-cultured in vitro with either fluorescent MIPs targeting SA, SA-MIPs, or the two lectins targeting SA, MAL I, and SNA. Both formaldehyde-fixed and viable HT29 3D spheroids with or without SA-MIPs were imaged in 3D by confocal microscopy. The results revealed a preserved cell morphology and viability of the HT29 3D spheroids co-cultured in vitro with SA-MIPs. However, the lectins MAL I and SNA targeting the α-2,3 or α-2,6 SA glycosidic linkages, respectively, affected the cell viability when co-cultured with the viable HT29 3D spheroids, and no living cells could be detected. Here, we have shown that the SA-MIPs could be used as a safe and low-cost diagnostic tool for targeting and detecting cancer cells in a physiologically relevant 3D cancer model in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Detection and Imaging of Tumor Cells in a 3D Environment)

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Review

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17 pages, 1104 KiB

Open AccessReview

Applications of Tumor Cells in an In Vitro 3D Environment

by Sylwia Hasterok, Anna Gustafsson and Anette Gjörloff Wingren

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10349; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810349 - 15 Sep 2023

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Abstract

Spherical, multicellular aggregates of tumor cells, or three-dimensional (3D) tumor models, can be grown from established cell lines or dissociated cells from tissues in a serum-free medium containing appropriate growth factors. Air–liquid interfaces (ALIs) represent a 3D approach that mimics and supports the differentiation of respiratory tract and skin 3D models in vitro. Many 3D tumor cell models are cultured in conjunction with supporting cell types, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, or immune cells. To further mimic the in vivo situation, several extracellular matrix models are utilized to support tumor cell growth. Scaffolds used for 3D tumor cell culture growth include both natural and synthetic hydrogels. Three-dimensional cell culture experiments in vitro provide more accurate data on cell-to-cell interactions, tumor characteristics, drug discovery, metabolic profiling, stem cell research, and diseases. Moreover, 3D models are important for obtaining reliable precision data on therapeutic candidates in human clinical trials before predicting drug cytotoxicity. This review focuses on the recent literature on three different tissue types of 3D tumor models, i.e., tumors from a colorectal site, prostate, and skin. We will discuss the establishment of 3D tumor cell cultures in vitro and the requirement for additional growth support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Detection and Imaging of Tumor Cells in a 3D Environment)

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