title: Growth and radiation response of cells grown in macroporous gelatin microcarriers (CultiSpher-G).
abstract: Four cell lines have been cultured in macroporous gelatin microcarrier beads (CultiSpher-G) to test this as a new model of three-dimensional cell growth for use in experimental cancer therapy. A549, KB 3-1, KB 8-5 and V79 cells were successfully grown in CultiSphers, albeit with longer doubling times than observed for the respective cell type in monolayer cultures. MTT staining and histology demonstrated three-dimensional contact of cells in the microcarriers. A549 cells populated the microcarriers more densely than KB 3-1 cells, and with both cell types there is bead-to-bead variation in occupancy by cells. [3H]TdR autoradiography reveals labelled cells throughout A549 and KB 3-1 CultiSphers, with no proliferation gradient from edge to centre. Central necrosis has not been observed. A549 cells but not KB 3-1 cells demonstrated a radiation contact effect (i.e. resistance) when irradiated in CultiSphers, compared with monolayers. We conclude that CultiSphers may be a useful model for three-dimensional growth and cell contact when investigators want to investigate these phenomena without the microenvironmental gradients of spheroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rasey
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cornwell
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Boyles
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hofstrand
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cerveny
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002450:Cell Communication; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005780:Gelatin; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D005780:Gelatin