Mini-pillar array for hydrogel-supported 3D culture and high-content histologic analysis of human tumor spheroids

摘要: Three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell culture models mimic the complex 3D organization and microenvironment of human solid tumor tissue are thus considered as highly predictive representing avascular regions. Confocal laser scanning microscopy is useful for monitoring drug penetration therapeutic responses in models; however, photonic attenuation at increasing imaging depths limited common fluorescence tracers significant technical challenges to imaging. Immunohistological staining would be a good alternative, but preparation sections from rather fragile spheroids through fixing embedding procedures challenging. Here we introduce novel 3 × mini-pillar array chip that can utilized culturing sectioning high-content histologic analysis. The facilitated generation cells within hydrogels such alginate, collagen, Matrigel. As expected, visualization distribution calcein AM doxorubicin by optical was dye penetration. integrity microtissue section confirmed immunostaining on paraffin cryo-sections. applicability activity evaluation tested measuring viability changes exposed anti-cancer agents, 5-fluorouracil tirapazamine. Thus, our platform potentially promote analysis cultures further optimized field-specific needs.