3-D Cell Based Assays Are Evolving

3-D Multicell Models and Gels

There is a growing body of publications of why 3-D matters in drug discovery and toxicology assays. This table shows important distinctions for single cell assays.

Cellular characteristics	2D	3D	Refs.
Morphology	Sheet-like flat and stretched cells in monolayer	Natural shape in spheroid/aggregate structures	20,24,50
Proliferation	Often proliferate at a faster rate than in vivo	May proliferate at a faster/slower rate compared to 2D-cultured cells depending on cell type and/or type of 3D model system	17,51
Exposure to medium/drugs	Cells in monolayer are equally exposed to nutrients/growth factors/drugs that are distributed in growth medium	Nutrients and growth factors or drugs may not be able to fully penetrate the spheroid, reaching cells near the core	24,52
Stage of cell cycle	More cells are likely to be in the same stage of cell cycle due to being equally exposed to medium	Spheroids contain proliferating, quiescent, hypoxic and necrotic cells	18,24,53
Gene/protein expression	Often display differential gene and protein expression levels compared to in vivo models	Cells often exhibit gene/protein expression profiles more similar to those in vivo tissue origins	17,40,54
Drug sensitivity	Cells often succumb to treatment and drugs appear to be very effective	Cells are often more resistant to treatment compared to those in 2D culture system, often being better predictors of in vivo drug responses	17,33

Table: Key Differences in Cellular Characteristics and Processes in Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Culture Systems

Assay Drug Dev Technol. 2014 May 1; 12(4): 207–218.

doi:  10.1089/adt.2014.573

From the table, we see, for the most part, the overall advantages of cells in 3-D for generating more in vivo like data. We also see potential issues like: "Nutrients and growth factors or drugs may not be able to fully penetrate the spheroid, reaching cells near the core".  

We have resolved penetration issues with our engineered Collagel Hydrogels. We have further enhanced the assays by including multicell assays that even more closely mimic the in vivo environment.

Our Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) Model, for example, includes our:

• Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
• Human Brain Microvascular Pericytes (HBMVPCs)
• Human Brain Astrocytes (HBA)

These cells are pre-cultured in the engineered gels and cost a fraction of the individual components (see: culturing and assay protocol).

Name	Catalog #			Size	Price
Human Blood Brain Barrier Model	3D45002-6			6 wells 12 well 24 well	$1,780 $2,600 $3,625

Our intention is for you to generate the most in vivo like data possible.