Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
08:59
Lipid Exchange Assay in Living Cells
Published on: March 21, 2025
1.1K
Restricted exchange microenvironments for cell culture
Jan H Hoh1,2, Jeffrey L Werbin1,3, William F Heinz1,4
1Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Biotechniques
|March 24, 2018
Summary
Restricted exchange environment chambers (REECs) create physiological metabolite gradients in 2D cultures. Fibroblasts align with diffusion, while MDCK cells show morphological changes, mimicking in vivo tissue microenvironments.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Standard 2D cell culture lacks the heterogeneous microenvironments and metabolite gradients found in vivo.
- Simulating in vivo conditions is crucial for accurate cellular response studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Restricted Exchange Environment Chambers (REECs) for creating and controlling physiological diffusive metabolite gradients in 2D cell cultures.
- To investigate cellular responses to these engineered gradients.
Main Methods:
- Development of REECs: asymmetric chambers with controlled openings for diffusive metabolite exchange.
- Utilizing REECs to establish radial and linear metabolite gradients.
- Culturing fibroblasts and MDCK cells within REECs to observe cellular behavior.
Main Results:
- REECs successfully generate metabolite concentration gradients mimicking in vivo tissue microenvironments.
- Fibroblasts were observed to align along the axis of diffusion.
- MDCK cells displayed significant morphological variations in response to the diffusive gradient.
Conclusions:
- REECs provide a novel platform for studying cell behavior under physiologically relevant diffusion gradients.
- Cellular responses, including alignment and morphology, are significantly influenced by engineered microenvironmental gradients.
- This model advances the study of cell-tissue interactions beyond traditional 2D culture limitations.
Related Concept Videos
02:06Social Exchange Theory
40.8K
We have discussed why we form relationships, what attracts us to others, and different types of love. But what determines whether we are satisfied with and stay in a relationship? One theory that provides an explanation is social exchange theory. According to social exchange theory, we act as naïve economists in keeping a tally of the ratio of costs and benefits of forming and maintaining a relationship with others (Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003).
40.8K
01:26Social Exchange Theory
506
As formulated by John Thibaut and Harold Kelley, Social Exchange Theory explains human relationships as economic-like exchanges that maximize rewards and minimize costs. This theory suggests that individuals engage in relationships to gain benefits and reduce burdens, similar to economic transactions. It has been widely applied to various types of relationships, including romantic, professional, and social interactions.Rewards and Costs in RelationshipsRelationship rewards include emotional...
506
01:20Gas Exchange and Transport
77.1K
Gas exchange, the intake of molecular oxygen (O2) from the environment and the outflow of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment, is necessary for cellular function. Gas exchange during respiration occurs largely via the movement of gas molecules along pressure gradients. Gas travels from areas of higher partial pressure to areas of lower partial pressure. In mammals, gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, which are adjacent to capillaries and share a membrane with them.
77.1K
01:11Restriction Enzymes
36.4K
Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzymes used to cut DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To cleave DNA, they bind to specific palindromic sequences called restriction sites. Such palindromic DNA sequences or inverted repeats are commonly found in regions of functional significance, such as the origin of replication, gene operator sites, and regions containing transcription termination signals.
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
36.4K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
7.9K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.9K
01:28Capillary Exchange
11.5K
The cardiovascular system's chief role is to disseminate gases, nutrients, waste, and other substances to the body's cells. Small molecules like gases, lipids, and lipid-soluble substances directly diffuse through capillary wall endothelial cell membranes. Glucose, amino acids, and ions, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride, use transporters for facilitated diffusion via membrane-specific channels. Glucose, ions, and bigger molecules may also pass through intercellular...
11.5K