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3D Organotypic Culture Model to Study Components of ERK Signaling

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ERK Signaling

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1487))

Abstract

Organotypic models are 3D in vitro representations of an in vivo environment. Their complexity can range from an epidermal replica to the establishment of a cancer microenvironment. These models have been used for many years, in an attempt to mimic the structure and function of cells and tissues found inside the body. Methods for developing 3D organotypic models differ according to the tissue of interest and the experimental design. For example, cultures may be grown submerged in culture medium and or at an air–liquid interface. Our group is focusing on an air–liquid interface 3D organotypic model. These cultures are grown on a nylon membrane-covered metal grid with the cells embedded in a Collagen-Matrigel gel. This allows cells to grow in an air–liquid interface to enable diffusion and nourishment from the medium below. Subsequently, the organotypic cultures can be used for immunohistochemical staining of various components of ERK signaling, which is a key player in mediating communication between cells and their microenvironment.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Miss Chandy Bundy for Fig. 1, which was part of her M.Sc. project under Dr. Chioni’s supervision.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomolecular Sciences Department, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston Univesity London, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE, UK

    Athina-Myrto Chioni & Rabia Tayba Bajwa

  2. Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

    Richard Grose

Authors
  1. Athina-Myrto Chioni
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  2. Rabia Tayba Bajwa
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  3. Richard Grose
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Athina-Myrto Chioni .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona-CSIC, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Gerardo Jimenez

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Chioni, AM., Bajwa, R.T., Grose, R. (2017). 3D Organotypic Culture Model to Study Components of ERK Signaling. In: Jimenez, G. (eds) ERK Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1487. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6424-6_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6424-6_19

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6422-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6424-6

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