Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture platforms have received increasing attention because 3D cell culture models can mimic microenvironment of tissue where interaction between cells and extracellular matrix affects biological responses compared with 2D cell cultures. For this reason, many researchers have recently focused on spheroid models as representative 3D cell cultures for studying various cellular behaviors. However, conventional 3D cell culture platforms such as rotational chamber, microwell, and hanging-drop arrays usually require complicated steps or expensive equipment and also need separation for further analysis. Herein, we suggest novel elastomeric cavity structures with controllable sizes and curvatures as tunable 3D cell culture and analyzing platform. Elastomeric cavities are fabricated by easy and one-step interfacial reaction between water droplets and immiscible liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Owing to high surface tension of aqueous droplets, spherical cavities are spontaneously formed in the liquid PDMS and their geometries (<i>e.g.</i>, sizes and curvatures) are easily adjustable. We first investigate cellular behaviors on curved surfaces compared to a flat surface based on multiphysics simulation and systematic experiments. Using optimized elastomeric cavities and their arrays, we successfully achieve the formation of tumor spheroids with high efficiency and circularity. In addition, individual spheroids formed in the cavities can be directly applied for biological analyses such as drug screening and optical monitoring of cellular responses without seperation from the cavities. We believe that our proposed spheroid culture platform would significantly contribute to drug screening and tissue engineering.

Adjustable 3D elastomeric cavities for tumor spheroid culture and <i>in situ</i> analyses

2019 Fall National Meeting

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Adjustable 3D elastomeric cavities for tumor spheroid culture and in situ analyses