2D and 3D cell cultures – a comparison of different types of cancer cell cultures

Abstract

Cell culture is a widely used in vitro tool for improving our understanding of cell biology, tissue morphology, and mechanisms of diseases, drug action, protein production and the development of tissue engineering. Most research regarding cancer biology is based on experiments using two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures in vitro. However, 2D cultures have many limitations, such as the disturbance of interactions between the cellular and extracellular environments, changes in cell morphology, polarity, and method of division. These disadvantages led to the creation of models which are more closely able to mimic conditions in vivo. One such method is three-dimensional culture (3D). Optimisation of the culture conditions may allow for a better understanding of cancer biology and facilitate the study of biomarkers and targeting therapies. In this review, we compare 2D and 3D cultures in vitro as well as different versions of 3D cultures.

Polymersome‐assisted delivery of curcumin: A suitable approach to decrease cancer stemness markers and regulate miRNAs expression in HT29 colorectal cancer cells

“…To evaluate the effect of CPNs on the MCSTs that mimics the physical and biochemical characteristics of a solid tumor mass, three cancer stem cell surface markers was compared in CPNs‐treated and untreated cells by flow cytometry. After drug treatment on MCTSs, the percentage of CD44 + /CD24 + and CD44 + /CD133 + cell population was 29.6%±10.5 and 25.3%±11.3, respectively (Figure ).…”

In Vitro 3D Cultures to Reproduce the Bone Marrow Niche

“…There are still disadvantages that need to be addressed before 3D models can be adopted more readily. There have been reports of inconsistencies in 3D cultures and duplicability of results . Furthermore, 3D models are more difficult to handle, which may require a higher level of training and added expense, and utilize analytic programs that can process larger and more complex data .…”

“…When compared with 2D cultures, 3D cultures require more time and money to develop and maintain. Also, in many 3D models, the efficiency, ease, and reproducibility of work have been shown to be inferior to 2D models . Although 2D, 3D, and animal models all have their benefits and drawbacks, 3D culture methods are considered to reduce the transitional gap between in vitro and in vivo research.…”

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Relevance in Multicellular Bioengineered 3D In Vitro Tumor Models

“…This correlation, resulting from the incorporation of diverse cell lines, is also observed in scaffold‐based models that provide an ECM‐mimicking environment without requiring previous cell mediated ECM deposition . The advantages and disadvantages of various 3D models production methodologies have been extensively discussed in several reviews . These different formulation technologies are addressed herein mainly in the context of heterotypic cancer‐MSCs 3D in vitro models establishment.…”