Summary
Published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2024), this peer-reviewed study used 3D Petri Dish® micro-molds to form scaffold-free 3D microtissues. Full citation: Apodaca, Sofia, et al. Novel 3D human trophoblast culture to explore T. cruzi infection in the placenta
Novel 3D human trophoblast culture to explore T. cruzi infection in the placenta
Research Overview
Placental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi is usually studied in 2D cultures of trophoblast lines such as BeWo, which poorly represent natural infection. 3D microtissue culture reproduces tissue microarchitecture and supports proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, and gene expression closer to in vivo conditions.
The authors built a 3D BeWo trophoblast model using the nonadherent agarose molds of the MicroTissues® 3D Petri Dish® system, testing both the small 12-256 and large 12-81 formats across a range of initial cell numbers. Microtissue diameter was measured and viability assessed by Trypan Blue, establishing a reproducible 3D platform for exploring placental T. cruzi infection.
Key Discoveries
- 3D BeWo trophoblast microtissues formed in MicroTissues® 3D Petri Dish® agarose molds
- Both 12-256 (small) and 12-81 (large) formats tested across initial cell numbers
- Diameter and Trypan Blue viability characterized the model for placental Trypanosoma cruzi infection studies
