Spheroid Models
Spheroid Models - Related Videos
02:02
A Three-Dimensional Co-culture Model of Infiltrating T Cells in Tumor Spheroids
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2025
This video demonstrates a method to establish a three-dimensional tumor spheroid and T cell co-culture. An agarose cast with microwells containing tumor spheroids is prepared, followed by the addition of T cells. After incubation, this setup allows studying the interaction of T cells with tumor spheroids in a controlled three-dimensional environment.
03:18
Generation of a Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model of Tumor Cell Invasion
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2025
Source: Guyon, J., et al. A 3D Spheroid Model for Glioblastoma. J. Vis. Exp. (2020)The video demonstrates the generation of a three-dimensional spheroid model of tumor cell invasion. Spheroids are formed from human brain tumor cells and embedded in a collagen matrix. The tumor cells at the spheroid periphery adopt an invasive phenotype, secreting proteases to degrade the collagen and advancing to invade the surrounding matrix.
04:29
Immunofluorescent Staining of Spheroids: A Technique to Analyze Spheroids for Expression of Intra- and Extracellular Antigen Expression
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2023
This video describes the technique of immunofluorescent staining of spheroids to understand the differentiation of the fibroblasts or CAFs. This protocol helps detect expression of intra- and extracellular antigens, including deposition of ECM proteins within the spheroids.
11:34
Modeling Ovarian Cancer Multicellular Spheroid Behavior in a Dynamic 3D Peritoneal Microdevice
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Cited by 29 •
2017
To study ovarian tumor progression in a physiologically relevant model, multicellular spheroids were cultured in a microdevice under simulated fluid flow. This dynamic 3D model emulates the intraperitoneal environment with the cellular and mechanical components where ovarian cancer metastasis occurs.
03:20
Splitting Spheroids for Sub-culturing and Shipping: A Procedure for Propagating and Transferring Spheroids from Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumor
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2023
This video demonstrates a strategy to split and propagate spheroids developed from small bowel neuroendocrine tumor cells. These spheroids have small bowel neuroendocrine tumor markers and can be propagated and further used to test anti-cancer drugs.
FAQs
Cell-cell interactions provide signals that are less prominent in flat cultures and help organize cells within a shared three-dimensional environment. As cells adhere to one another, they can communicate, produce extracellular matrix, and coordinate processes such as growth and differentiation. This organization allows researchers to examine tissue-like behavior in a controlled laboratory model rather than evaluating isolated cells on a two-dimensional surface.
Gradients arise because cells occupy different positions within the aggregate, so access to oxygen and nutrients is not uniform and metabolites can accumulate unevenly. These conditions create spatial variation across the model, allowing studies of how cellular location and local environment affect growth, communication, differentiation, and responses to experimental treatments.
Spheroid models provide more tissue-like organization than conventional two-dimensional monolayers because cells interact in three dimensions and develop internal environmental gradients. At the same time, they remain more accessible and controlled than complex organoid systems. This intermediate position makes them useful for investigating tissue behavior while retaining a comparatively manageable laboratory format.
Formation requires conditions that limit cell attachment to a flat surface, encouraging cells to adhere to one another instead. The resulting cell-cell association produces a compact multicellular aggregate in which extracellular matrix production and internal gradients can develop. Researchers can then examine the aggregate as a three-dimensional system for controlled studies of cellular and tissue behavior.
Researchers use spheroid models when a study needs more realistic tissue organization than a monolayer can provide but does not require a more complex tissue or organoid system. They support investigations of cell growth, differentiation, communication, and tissue behavior, as well as drug-response testing, disease modeling, and studies of tumor biology.
These models can reveal how cells behave collectively under three-dimensional conditions, including changes in growth, differentiation, communication, and tissue organization. They also provide a setting for evaluating drug responses and examining disease-related or tumor-related behavior. Because the system is controlled in the laboratory, researchers can connect observed responses with the multicellular environment in which they occur.