In the last decades, the development of 3D cell culture systems, such as organoids, spheroids, or organ-on-a-chip models, increasingly intrigued researchers and clinicians. Traditional 2D cell cultures do not adequately represent the functions of 3D tissues that have extensive cell-cell interactions and markedly different transport conditions. The 3D cell models have been collectively coined as microphysiological systems, where cells can grow and interact with their surroundings in all three dimensions that are similar to the conditions in vivo.
3D cell culture has revealed important insights into mechanisms of tissue homeostasis and cancer. It also accelerates translational research in drug development and provides a reliable method for alternative toxicology assessment of chemicals. By mimicking crucial characteristics of the microenvironment in vivo, including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, 3D cell culture allows appropriate structural architecture and provides better species- and organ-specific xenobiotic metabolism. Several studies have explored the potential applications of 3D cell models for drug development and toxicology evaluation, with inspiring outcomes filling the gap between studies in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, 3D cell models quite fit the concept of “3 Rs”: reducing, refining, and replacing animal tests, which represents a paradigm shift from traditional pharmacology and toxicology assessment. Thus, 3D cell culture has the potential to predict the safety and efficacy of experimental drugs more accurately in humans and provides a theoretical basis for the risk assessment and risk management of chemical substances.
This Research Topic invites different kinds of contributions (e.g., original research articles, short communications, review articles) that focus on the 3D cell culture investigation of model establishment and its application. Eventual topics include, but are not restricted to, the following:
1) Improvement of 3D cell culture system for different organs/tissues and the mechanism of cell-cell interactions.
2) Establishment of organoid/embryo in 3D cell culture and exploration of the regulation signaling.
3) Development of stem/propagator cell-derived organoid systems for disease treatment.
4) Advanced imaging method for 3D cell model characterization.
5) The applications of 3D cell culture models for drug development.
6) 3D cell culture for toxicity evaluation and risk management of chemical substances.
In the last decades, the development of 3D cell culture systems, such as organoids, spheroids, or organ-on-a-chip models, increasingly intrigued researchers and clinicians. Traditional 2D cell cultures do not adequately represent the functions of 3D tissues that have extensive cell-cell interactions and markedly different transport conditions. The 3D cell models have been collectively coined as microphysiological systems, where cells can grow and interact with their surroundings in all three dimensions that are similar to the conditions in vivo.
3D cell culture has revealed important insights into mechanisms of tissue homeostasis and cancer. It also accelerates translational research in drug development and provides a reliable method for alternative toxicology assessment of chemicals. By mimicking crucial characteristics of the microenvironment in vivo, including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, 3D cell culture allows appropriate structural architecture and provides better species- and organ-specific xenobiotic metabolism. Several studies have explored the potential applications of 3D cell models for drug development and toxicology evaluation, with inspiring outcomes filling the gap between studies in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, 3D cell models quite fit the concept of “3 Rs”: reducing, refining, and replacing animal tests, which represents a paradigm shift from traditional pharmacology and toxicology assessment. Thus, 3D cell culture has the potential to predict the safety and efficacy of experimental drugs more accurately in humans and provides a theoretical basis for the risk assessment and risk management of chemical substances.
This Research Topic invites different kinds of contributions (e.g., original research articles, short communications, review articles) that focus on the 3D cell culture investigation of model establishment and its application. Eventual topics include, but are not restricted to, the following:
1) Improvement of 3D cell culture system for different organs/tissues and the mechanism of cell-cell interactions.
2) Establishment of organoid/embryo in 3D cell culture and exploration of the regulation signaling.
3) Development of stem/propagator cell-derived organoid systems for disease treatment.
4) Advanced imaging method for 3D cell model characterization.
5) The applications of 3D cell culture models for drug development.
6) 3D cell culture for toxicity evaluation and risk management of chemical substances.