title: Filter-well technology for advanced three-dimensional cell culture: perspectives for respiratory research.
abstract: Cell culture has long been a valuable tool for studying cell behaviour. Classical plastic substrates are two-dimensional, and usually promote cellular proliferation and inhibit differentiation. Understanding cell behaviour within complex multicellular tissues requires the systematic study of cells within the context of specific model microenvironments. A model system must mimic, to a certain degree, the in vivo situation, but, at the same time, can significantly reduce its complexity. There is increasing agreement that moving up to the third dimension provides a more physiologically-relevant and predictive model system. Moreover, many cellular processes (morphogenesis, organogenesis and pathogenesis) have been confirmed to occur exclusively when cells are ordered in a three-dimensional (3-D) manner. In order to achieve the desired in vivo phenotype, researchers can use microporous membranes for improved in vitro cell culture experiments. In the present review, we discuss the applications of filter-well technology for the advanced 3-D cell culture of human pulmonary cells.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. berube@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bérubé
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitt
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: Zoë
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Prytherch
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Job
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering