Summary
Published in Toxicology in Vitro (2023), this peer-reviewed study used 3D Petri Dish® micro-molds to form scaffold-free 3D microtissues. Full citation: Li, Hui, et al. A novel co-culture model of human prostate epithelial and stromal cells for androgenic and antiandrogenic screening
A novel co-culture model of human prostate epithelial and stromal cells for androgenic and antiandrogenic screening
Research Overview
Risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals relies heavily on in vitro screening, and a 3D prostate model reflecting epithelial-stromal crosstalk could substantially improve androgen assessment.
This study built a prostate co-culture microtissue from BHPrE epithelial and BHPrS stromal cells in scaffold-free hydrogels, defined the optimal co-culture conditions, and characterized responses to the androgen dihydrotestosterone and the anti-androgen flutamide using molecular and image profiling — producing a stable, hormone-responsive microtissue for endocrine screening.
Key Discoveries
- Prostate epithelial-stromal co-culture microtissues built in scaffold-free hydrogels
- Responses characterized to both androgen (DHT) and anti-androgen (flutamide) exposure
- Targets improved in vitro androgen assessment for endocrine-disruptor risk
Recommended Products
12-256 Small Spheroids
12-well plates · $575
View 12-256 →
24-96 Small Spheroids
24-well plates · $575
View 24-96 →
12-81 Large Spheroids
12-well plates · $575
View 12-81 →
24-35 Large Spheroids
24-well plates · $575
View 24-35 →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do 3D Petri Dish® micro-molds work?The micro-mold system uses non-adhesive agarose to create arrays of uniform recesses. When cells are seeded, they settle into these recesses and self-assemble into uniform 3D microtissues within 24 hours, without the need for specialized equipment or complex protocols.Why are 3D microtissues better than traditional 2D cell cultures?
3D microtissues formed using 3D Petri Dish® micro-molds better recapitulate the complex cell-cell interactions, extracellular matrix organization, and signaling gradients found in living tissues. This leads to more physiologically relevant results compared to growing cells on flat plastic surfaces, where cells often behave differently than they do in the body.