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Tumor Spheroid Fabrication and Encapsulation in Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels for Studying Spheroid-Matrix Interactions
Published on: September 22, 2023
Vital imaging of multicellular spheroids
Paulo J Oliveira1, Edward L Perkins, Jon Holy
1Department of Zoology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 21, 2013
Summary
Multicellular spheroids (MCSs) mimic tumors in 3D culture. Confocal microscopy effectively visualizes fluorescent probes within MCSs, aiding cancer cell research.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biotechnology
- Cancer research
Background:
- Cell behavior differs significantly between 2D and 3D cultures.
- Multicellular spheroids (MCSs) are 3D cell culture models.
- MCSs derived from malignant cells mimic tumor histoarchitecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe basic approaches for visualizing fluorescent probes in MCSs.
- To highlight the utility of MCSs for studying 3D cell behavior.
- To emphasize the application of MCSs in cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Formation of multicellular spheroids (MCSs) under nonadherent conditions.
- Utilizing confocal microscopy for imaging within 3D structures.
- Application of various fluorescent probes for visualization.
Main Results:
- Confocal microscopy provides clear imaging of fluorescent probes within MCSs.
- Established methods allow for the study of cell behavior in 3D.
- Visualizing probes in MCSs aids in understanding in situ cancer cell dynamics.
Conclusions:
- MCSs are valuable models for studying 3D cell behavior and cancer in situ.
- Confocal microscopy is a key technique for analyzing fluorescent probes in MCSs.
- This work provides foundational approaches for advanced 3D cell imaging.
