The third dimension: new developments in cell culture models for colorectal research

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS Vol. 73; no. 21; pp. 3971 - 3989
• Main Authors: Pereira, Joana F. S., Awatade, Nikhil T., Loureiro, Cláudia A., Matos, Paulo, Amaral, Margarida D., Jordan, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.11.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Research; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; Cell culture; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Line; Colon - cytology; Colorectal cancer; Humans; Life Sciences; Medical research; Models, Biological; Rectum - cytology; Review; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Inflammatory bowel disease; 3D culture; Cell polarization; Epithelial chloride transport; Organoids; Cell spheroids; Colorectal cancer; Cystic fibrosis; Colon; Small intestine; Cell culture model
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2258-2

Cellular models are important tools in various research areas related to colorectal biology and associated diseases. Herein, we review the most widely used cell lines and the different techniques to grow them, either as cell monolayer, polarized two-dimensional epithelia on membrane filters, or as three-dimensional spheres in scaffold-free or matrix-supported culture conditions. Moreover, recent developments, such as gut-on-chip devices or the ex vivo growth of biopsy-derived organoids, are also discussed. We provide an overview on the potential applications but also on the limitations for each of these techniques, while evaluating their contribution to provide more reliable cellular models for research, diagnostic testing, or pharmacological validation related to colon physiology and pathophysiology.