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Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix
Published on: July 10, 2016
Constructing three-dimensional models to study mammary gland branching morphogenesis and functional differentiation.
Alvin T Lo1, Hidetoshi Mori, Joni Mott
1Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
|May 11, 2012
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) culture models using mouse mammary organoids recapitulate essential tissue-specific signaling lost in 2D cultures. These models enhance understanding of branching morphogenesis and enable drug testing.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Tissue organogenesis relies on complex intercellular and microenvironmental communication.
- Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures lack crucial signals, hindering the recapitulation of tissue-specific architecture and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and describe robust methods for culturing mouse primary mammary organoids in 3D.
- To establish physiologically relevant models for studying tissue morphogenesis and signaling.
Main Methods:
- Culturing mouse primary mammary organoids within 3D extracellular matrices.
- Utilizing various extracellular matrix gel compositions.
- Developing techniques for analyzing the resulting 3D organoid structures.
Main Results:
- Successfully established 3D culture methods for mouse mammary organoids.
- Demonstrated the ability of 3D models to recapitulate crucial aspects of tissue-specific signaling.
- Validated the utility of these models for studying branching morphogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Three-dimensional (3D) culture models provide a physiologically relevant platform for studying mammary gland development.
- These organoid models are valuable tools for understanding signaling integrations and for drug discovery and susceptibility analysis.
