The use of 3-dimensional in vitro models is rapidly increasing. This evolution is being driven by increasing awareness of how differently cells can behave when grown in a mature, stratified structure in which adhesion molecule-directed signaling is fully developed.

Successful 3-dimensional culture places specific and quite divergent demands on a culture medium. Whilst maintaining the pool of undifferentiated, proliferative cells required for the model to develop the multi-layered structure, the medium must also permit cells to mature and establish a fully differentiated structure.

3D Epidermal Cell Culture

CELLnTEC has specialized media and protocols available for the 3D culture of several epithelia, including media and starter kits containing required components for your own 3D epidermal cell culture. 

Also, a complete written protocol and a training video can be found in our resources section to demonstrate our recommended methods for establishing these cultures.

For a in vivo / in vitro comparison of proliferation and differentiation markers as well as a comparison of how the lipid profiles compare, please click here.

Other Epithelia

Protocols for rat 3D large airway, vaginal and bladder epithelium models have been established in-house and are available on request.

3D epidermal model (day 16) established using the 3D starter kit and the recommended protocol	Primary rat bladder epithelium, isolated in CnT-58, differentiated in 3D for 18 days in CnT-21 medium + Ca.	Primary rat large airway epithelium after 20 days air-lift