Name: Establishing a Three-Dimensional Coculture Module of Epithelial Cells Using Nanofibrous Membranes (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2024-12-27T15:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 10 min 8 s
Description: Learn to establish a 3D coculture system using PVA and PCL nanofibrous membranes for epithelial and fibroblast cells. This method enables multi-layered tissue formation and improved cellular interaction studies.

ai_agent_IP

ai_agent

maintenance

instantTrialDurationMinutes

isBiopharma

enableNewMyJoveSectionDesign

educationFeatures

seoMetaApi

ai_copilot_institution_blacklist

ai_chat_institution_blacklist

freeAccessWindow

ssoRoleCapture

scheduledMaintenanceBanner

joveLabsFeatures

disable_autoplay_for_bots

extended_trial_duration

5 minutes

This work was supported by a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&#38;D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health &#38; Welfare, Republic of Korea (HR16C0001); the Basic Science Research Capacity Enhancement Project through the Korea Basic Science Institute (National Research Facilities and Equipment Center) grant funded by the Ministry of Education (2019R1A6C1010003); and National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grants funded by the Korean Government (MSIT) (2022R1A4A5032702).

1. Fabrication of water-stable PVA nanofibers
<ol>
	<li>Weigh 0.02 g of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and 1 g of PVA, then add them into a clean glass bottle containing a magnetic bar. Add 7.8 mL of distilled water to the bottle, place the bottle on a plate stirrer, and set the temperature to 84 &#176;C, the speed to 500 rpm, and the time to 12 h.</li>
	<li>Let the bottle cool to room temperature before adding 0.2 mL of glutaraldehyde (GA). Place the bottle on the plate stirrer, and set the speed to 500 rpm, time to 30 min, and temperature to room temperature.</li>
	<li>Use a 5 mL syringe for electrospinning, separate the plungers from the barrels, and clean small plastic debris inside the barrels and the tip of plungers.</li>
	<li>Use needles to block the liquid flow, then pour PVA solution into each barrel (volume: 2.5-3 mL each). Assemble the plungers, then remove the needles. 
	NOTE: There might be a bubble in the solution, so wait until the bubble disappears. This takes 10-30 min.</li>
	<li>Assemble a new 27 G metal needle, then place it into the electrospinning machine.</li>
	<li>Wrap the collector well with foil.</li>
	<li>Let the injector panel return to the original position. Use the following settings for machine: (each pump) injection volume: 2 mL, injection rate: 6 &#181;L/min, roller speed: 100 rpm, tip to collector distance: 14 cm. Check the liquid flow for each pump.</li>
	<li>Run the machine with an electrical potential of approximately 12 kV.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the humidity is 40 - 50% in the beginning and 25 - 30% at the end of the process. Use a humidifier when the humidity decreases and place dishes containing distilled water inside the machine the day before electrospinning to increase humidity. 
	NOTE: This is a critical factor in the successful fabrication of PVA nanofibers.</li>
	<li>Check the flow regularly. If the needle is blocked, temporarily stop the machine. Use a laboratory wipe to remove the drop and wait until the new drop appears. If not, change the needle, then continue running the machine.</li>
	<li>The process of PVA nanofiber fabrication takes ~6 h to complete. After the electrospinning process finishes, detach the foil containing the fiber mat from the collector and store the nanofiber mat in desiccant under vacuum.</li>
</ol>
2. Treatment of a PVA nanofibrous membrane with hydrochloric acid (HCl) vapor and assessment of fiber quality
NOTE: The water stability of PVA NMs is well preserved after the post-crosslinking reaction by HCl vapor. This process is optimized for suitable thickness, pore size, and roughness of the NMs. PVA is a very hydrophilic polymer, and electrospun PVA nanofibers are unstable in water contact and humid conditions. PVA NMs should be treated with HCl vapor just after the fabrication of the PVA polymer.
<ol>
	<li>Cut a nanofiber mat into pieces of the desired size for the trans-well insert.</li>
	<li>Prepare a small dish containing 1.5 mL of pure HCl. Place the HCl-containing dish and nanofiber pieces inside a vacuum chamber and close the lid. 
	NOTE: HCl vapor is used as a postcrosslink agent to make the nanofiber water-stable.</li>
	<li>Open the valve connected to the vacuum pump, wait 10 s until the HCl fume rises, and then close the valve. Treat the membranes with HCl fume for 2 min.</li>
	<li>After treatment with HCl vapor, add some drops of distilled water (DW) to the membranes, put them on a glass slide, and remove the membrane from the foil. After air drying for 20 min, the membranes naturally stick to the slide.</li>
	<li>Coat the membranes on carbon tape with a thin layer of gold using an autosputter coater. Obtain scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.</li>
	<li>After crosslinking PVA NMs with HCl, wash them 3x with 1x PBS, and check the pH after soaking them in culture media to confirm the absence of residual HCl.</li>
</ol>
3. Fabrication of PCL nanofibers and nanofiber quality assessment
<ol>
	<li>Weigh 1.5 g of PCL and add it to a clean glass bottle. Add 8.5 mL of chloroform to the bottle, place the bottle on a plate stirrer, and dissolve PCL in chloroform for 12 h at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Repeat steps 1.3 to 1.9, except for steps 1.7 and 1.8, set the injection rate at 8 &#181;L/min and the voltage at 17.5 kV. 
	NOTE: PCL fabrication takes ~3.5 h to finish.</li>
	<li>Cut a small piece of the membrane and coat the pieces by auto-sputter process for 5 min. Obtain SEM images.</li>
</ol>
4. Assembly of two layers of membranes in a trans-well
NOTE: In this protocol, we use a 24-well plate and its respective insert well. The PVA NM is attached to the insert well, while the PCL NM is attached to the bottom well.
<ol>
	<li>Cut a nanofiber mat into round pieces, with a diameter of 10 mm and 13 mm for PVA and PCL NMs, respectively.</li>
	<li>Use polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 as an adhesive agent to attach the membranes to the insert and chamber well. Before using, mix Sylgard 184 Base (part A) and Curing Agent (part B) in a plastic cup in a 10:1 mass ratio. Use a clean glass slide to mix the PDMS solution vigorously for 2-3 min until the entire mixture is filled with bubbles. Let the bubble form and disappear for 10 min before using; meanwhile, let the slide warm to 100 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Spread the PDMS on a glass slide, and dip the bottom edge of the insert well slightly in the PDMS. Keep the insert well upside down on the slide warmer for the PDMS to harden (~10-15 min). Carefully check with a 200 &#181;L tip to make sure the PDMS is not sticky.</li>
	<li>Treat the PVA NM pieces as described in steps 2.2 to 2.4.</li>
	<li>Gently press the insert well onto the PVA NM piece so that the bottom of the insert well faces the nanofiber side of the membrane piece. Add a drop of distilled water to the center of the well and use forceps to remove the foil. Put the insert well in a new 24-well plate, and let the membrane dry.</li>
	<li>When attaching the PCL NM piece to the bottom well, be sure to dip the 200 &#181;L tip in the PDMS mixture and dot it precisely at the four corners and in the center.</li>
	<li>Place the plate on the slide warmer and allow the PDMS to harden for 5-7 min to ensure the quality of the assembly.</li>
	<li>Put the PCL NM piece into the PDMS-containing well, with the nanofiber side of the membrane attached to the PDMS. Use a small clean brush to press the foil side of the membrane piece slightly for complete attachment. Add 0.2 mL of 70% ethanol to the well to easily remove the foil.</li>
	<li>Sterilize the insert and the bottom well in the trans-well setup under UV light overnight. 
	NOTE: The mixed PDMS can be stored at -20 &#176;C for further use. CAUTION: The PCL nanofibrous membrane-attached plate can be stored dry but must be wet with 70% ethanol before use.</li>
	<li>The next day, wash the insert and bottom well by adding 200 &#181;L and 500 &#181;L of 1x phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), respectively, for 3 x 10 min. The insert and bottom well are ready to use.</li>
</ol>
5. Cell seeding and assembly of two layers for the coculture model
NOTE: MLE-12 cells were cultured in 1x Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM)/F12 with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin antibiotic. NIH3T3 cells were cultured in 1x DMEM high glucose with 10% FBS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin antibiotic.
<ol>
	<li>Maintain the cells in a 150 mm culture dish. When they are 70-80% confluent, wash the cells with 10 mL of 1x PBS and trypsinize them with 2 mL of prewarmed 0.05% trypsin/EDTA solution for 3 min at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Gently tap the dish to dislodge the cells from the bottom, and then add 8 mL of complete culture media to each type of cell to neutralize the trypsin enzyme. Transfer the cell suspension to a 50 mL centrifuge tube, centrifuge at 400 &#215; g for 5 min, and discard the supernatant. Stain the cells with Cell-Tracker to observe the distribution of seeded cells on NM (see section 6 for more details).</li>
	<li>Resuspend the cell pellet in 5 mL of complete DMEM/F12 media. Determine the cell number and adjust to 6 &#215; 106 MLE-12 cells/mL and 8 &#215; 105 NIH3T3 cells/mL. 
	NOTE: Complete DMEM/F12 media is used for coculture with MLE-12 and NIH3T3 cells.</li>
	<li>Fill the bottom well with 500 &#181;L of complete DMEM/F12 media (the well without PCL). Transfer the PVA nanofibrous membrane-attached insert to the trans-well, and add 50 &#181;L of MLE-12 cell suspension. Incubate the cells at 37 &#176;C&#160;and 5% CO2.</li>
	<li>Simultaneously, fill the PCL nanofibrous membrane-attached bottom well with 500 &#181;L of NIH3T3 cell suspension and incubate the cells at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2.</li>
	<li>After 2 h, assemble the MLE-12 cell-containing insert and the NIH3T3 cell-containing bottom well in the trans-well setup. This is the coculture model with MLE-12 cells as the upper layer and NIH3T3 cells as the lower layer. Coculture the cells in the two-layered membranes for the desired time.</li>
</ol>
6. Cell distribution assay
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 5 &#181;M of Cell-Tracker red and green solution in a total volume of 2 mL of complete DMEM/F12 medium.</li>
	<li>After trypsinization, mix MLE-12 cells with previously prepared Cell-Tracker red solution and NIH3T3 with Cell-Tracker green solution. Incubate the cells at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2 for 30 min to ensure optimal cell labeling. Add 8 mL of complete DMEM/F12 medium to the samples and centrifuge at 400 &#215; g for 5 min. 
	NOTE: Cell Tracker cannot affect cell viability and proliferation. Hence Cell-Tracker-stained cells can be cultured until confluence. The fluorescence intensity in the stained cells might reduce 4-5 days after culture.</li>
	<li>Repeat steps 5.3 to 5.6.</li>
	<li>While observing under a confocal microscope, transfer the insert well from the 24-well plate to a 12-well plate. 
	NOTE: This minimizes the distance between the objective lens and the cells, allowing for the observation of cell morphology.</li>
</ol>
7. Confocal observations of 3D cocultured cells
NOTE: Epithelial cell attachment to a PVA NM is weak compared to that of fibroblasts to a PCL NM. Discard old media manually by pipette aspiration and add new media or solution gently to the wall of wells. During the staining process, try not to let the membranes dry.
NOTE: Cell attachment can be improved by coating laminin or incorporating peptides of integrin-binding motifs in PVA nanofibers19.
<ol>
	<li>Transfer the insert to a new 24-well plate. Discard the old media and add 150 &#181;L of a 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution. Incubate for 15 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Remove the 4% PFA solution and wash the adhered cells with 150 &#181;L of 1x PBS.</li>
	<li>For blocking and permeabilization, add 150 &#181;L of 5% normal goat serum and 0.2% Triton X-100 diluted in 1x PBS and incubate for 30 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Prepare the Alexa Fluor 594-conjugated anti-zona occludens Ab (1:400) and Phalloidin-iFlour 488 (1:1,000) by diluting them in antibody diluent reagent. Remove the blocking solution, add 150 &#181;L of the fluorophore solution per well, and incubate for 1 h at room temperature. 
	NOTE: Prepare the antibody solutions with utmost precision, as it will directly impact the quality of the results. Avoid exposure to light.</li>
	<li>Discard the antibody solution and wash the cells with 150 &#181;L of 1x PBS for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Add 150 &#181;L of Hoechst 33342 diluted in 1x PBS (1:1,000) and incubate for 10 min; avoid exposure to light.</li>
	<li>Remove the Hoechst 33342 solution and wash the adhered cells with 150 &#181;L of 1x PBS for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Prepare a clean glass slide and add a precise amount of aqueous mounting gel. Use forceps with pointed tips to delicately detach the membranes from the surrounding edge. Place the membranes on the mounting gel, ensuring the side containing the cells is facing upward. Add a precise amount of mounting gel and cover with a cover slide. Seal the slides with nail polish, ensuring a precise and complete seal.</li>
	<li>Observe cells under a confocal microscope using the following imaging settings: Laser Power control: 405 Intensity 10; Laser Power control: 488 Intensity 10; Laser Power control: 561 Intensity 10; Detector sensitivity: 420LP (600 value); Detector sensitivity: 525/50 (700 value); Detector sensitivity: 561LP (750 value).</li>
</ol>
8. Assay of cell attachment to nanofibers
<ol>
	<li>Discard the old media and wash the cells with 150 &#181;L of 1x PBS.</li>
	<li>Fix the cells with 150 &#181;L of 3% GA diluted in 1x PBS for 1 h at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Wash the cells with 150 &#181;L of 1x PBS in 10 min.</li>
	<li>Fix the cells secondarily by adding 150 &#181;L of 1% osmium tetroxide (OsO4) diluted in 1x PBS for 1 h. 
	CAUTION: OsO4 and its vapor are harmful. It must be used in a fume hood.</li>
	<li>Discard the solution and wash the cells with 300 &#181;L of 1x PBS for 2 x 10 min.</li>
	<li>Dehydrate the cells with graded ethanol from 50%, 70%, 90%, and 95% to 100%, for 10 min in each step. Perform the last dehydration step by adding fresh 100% ethanol for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Air dry the cells and membranes completely. Use forceps with the pointed tips to detach the membranes, and place the membranes on the specimen holder using a two-side tap. Perform ion-sputtering for 5 min before observing the cells under SEM at 2,000x magnification.</li>
</ol>
9. Cell growth assay
NOTE: In this protocol, the CCK-8 assay is used to quantify cell growth rate following the manufacturer&#39;s instructions.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the CCK-8 mixture by mixing 9 parts of prewarmed DMEM/F12 (by volume) with 1 part of the CCK-8 reagent. After removing the old culture media, add 150 &#181;L of the CCK-8 mixture to the cell-containing well.</li>
	<li>Transfer the insert to the new 24-well plate to separate it from the bottom well containing cells. Incubate the cells for 45 min at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2.</li>
	<li>Collect the supernatant and transfer it to a 1.5 mL tube. Centrifuge at 1,800 &#215; g for 3 min.</li>
	<li>Add 100 &#181;L of the supernatant from the microcentrifuge tube to the 96-well plate. Read optical density (OD) at 450 nm.</li>
</ol>

Advanced Two-Layered 3D Co-Culture System for Epithelial and Fibroblast Cells

<ol><li>Kämpfer, A. A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Development+of+an+in+vitro+co-culture+model+to+mimic+the+human+intestine+in+healthy+and+diseased+state%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Toxicol+In+Vitro%22%5BJournal%5D)">Development of an in vitro co-culture model to mimic the human intestine in healthy and diseased state.</a> Toxicol In Vitro. 45 (Pt 1), 31-43 (2017).</li>
<li>Barrila, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Three-dimensional+organotypic+co-culture+model+of+intestinal+epithelial+cells+and+macrophages+to+study+Salmonella+enterica+colonization+patterns%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22npj+Microgravity%22%5BJournal%5D)">Three-dimensional organotypic co-culture model of intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages to study Salmonella enterica colonization patterns.</a> npj Microgravity. 3, 10(2017).</li>
<li>Breslin, S., O'Driscoll, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Three-dimensional+cell+culture%3A+the+missing+link+in+drug+discovery%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Drug+Discov+Today%22%5BJournal%5D)">Three-dimensional cell culture: the missing link in drug discovery.</a> Drug Discov Today. 18 (5-6), 240-249 (2013).</li>
<li>Krause, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+novel+3D+in+vitro+culture+model+to+study+stromal+epithelial+interactions+in+the+mammary+gland%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Tissue+Eng+Part+C%3A+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">A novel 3D in vitro culture model to study stromal epithelial interactions in the mammary gland.</a> Tissue Eng Part C: Methods. 14, 261-271 (2008).</li>
<li>Urzì, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Three-dimensional+cell+cultures%3A+The+bridge+between+in+vitro+and+in+vivo+models%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int+J+Mol+Sci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Three-dimensional cell cultures: The bridge between in vitro and in vivo models.</a> Int J Mol Sci. 24 (15), 12046(2023).</li>
<li>Duell, B. L., Cripps, A. W., Schembri, M. A., Ulett, G. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Epithelial+cell+coculture+models+for+studying+infectious+diseases%3A+benefits+and+limitations%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Biomed+Biotech%22%5BJournal%5D)">Epithelial cell coculture models for studying infectious diseases: benefits and limitations.</a> J Biomed Biotech. 2011, 852419(2011).</li>
<li>Goers, L., Freemont, P., Polizzi, K. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Co-culture+systems+and+technologies%3A+taking+synthetic+biology+to+the+next+level%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J.+R.+Soc.+Interface%22%5BJournal%5D)">Co-culture systems and technologies: taking synthetic biology to the next level.</a> J. R. Soc. Interface. 11 (96), 20140065(2014).</li>
<li>Liu, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((From+2D+to+3D+co-culture+systems%3A+A+review+of+co-culture+models+to+study+the+neural+cells+interaction%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int+J+Mol+Sci%22%5BJournal%5D)">From 2D to 3D co-culture systems: A review of co-culture models to study the neural cells interaction.</a> Int J Mol Sci. 23 (21), 13116(2022).</li>
<li>Vis, M. A. M., Ito, K., Hofmann, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Impact+of+culture+medium+on+cellular+interactions+in+in+vitro+co-culture+systems%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Front+Bioeng+Biotechnol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Impact of culture medium on cellular interactions in in vitro co-culture systems.</a> Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 8, 911(2020).</li>
<li>Kook, Y. M., Jeong, Y., Lee, K., Koh, W. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Design+of+biomimetic+cellular+scaffolds+for+co-culture+system+and+their+application%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Tissue+Eng%22%5BJournal%5D)">Design of biomimetic cellular scaffolds for co-culture system and their application.</a> J Tissue Eng. 8, 2041731417724640(2017).</li>
<li>Stocco, T. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Nanofibrous+scaffolds+for+biomedical+applications%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nanoscale%22%5BJournal%5D)">Nanofibrous scaffolds for biomedical applications.</a> Nanoscale. 10 (26), 12228-12255 (2018).</li>
<li>Gao, X., Han, S., Zhang, R., Liu, G., Wu, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Progress+in+electrospun+composite+nanofibers%3A+composition%2C+performance+and+applications+for+tissue+engineering%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Mater+Chem+B%22%5BJournal%5D)">Progress in electrospun composite nanofibers: composition, performance and applications for tissue engineering.</a> J Mater Chem B. 7 (45), 7075-7089 (2019).</li>
<li>Kim, T. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Three-dimensional+culture+and+interaction+of+cancer+cells+and+dendritic+cells+in+an+electrospun+nano-submicron+hybrid+fibrous+scaffold%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int+J+Nanomedicine%22%5BJournal%5D)">Three-dimensional culture and interaction of cancer cells and dendritic cells in an electrospun nano-submicron hybrid fibrous scaffold.</a> Int J Nanomedicine. 11, 823-835 (2016).</li>
<li>Oh, Y. S., Choi, M. H., Shin, J. I., Maza, P. A. M. A., Kwak, J. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Coculturing+of+endothelial+and+cancer+cells+in+a+nanofibrous+scaffold-based+two-layer+system%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int+J+Mol+Sci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Coculturing of endothelial and cancer cells in a nanofibrous scaffold-based two-layer system.</a> Int J Mol Sci. 21 (11), 4128(2020).</li>
<li>Lee, S. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Bacterial+infection-mimicking+three-dimensional+phagocytosis+and+chemotaxis+in+electrospun+poly%28%CE%B5-caprolactone%29+nanofibrous+membrane%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Membranes%22%5BJournal%5D)">Bacterial infection-mimicking three-dimensional phagocytosis and chemotaxis in electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibrous membrane.</a> Membranes. 11 (8), 569(2021).</li>
<li>DeLeon-Pennell, K. Y., Barker, T. H., Lindsey, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Fibroblasts%3A+The+arbiters+of+extracellular+matrix+remodeling%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Matrix+Biol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Fibroblasts: The arbiters of extracellular matrix remodeling.</a> Matrix Biol. 91-92, 1-7 (2020).</li>
<li>Lühr, I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mammary+fibroblasts+regulate+morphogenesis+of+normal+and+tumorigenic+breast+epithelial+cells+by+mechanical+and+paracrine+signals%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Cancer+Lett%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mammary fibroblasts regulate morphogenesis of normal and tumorigenic breast epithelial cells by mechanical and paracrine signals.</a> Cancer Lett. 325 (2), 175-188 (2012).</li>
<li>Humphries, J. D., Byron, A., Humphries, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Integrin+ligands+at+a+glance%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Cell+Sci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Integrin ligands at a glance.</a> J Cell Sci. 119 (19), 3901-3903 (2006).</li>
<li>Tran, T. X. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Synthetic+Extracellular+Matrix+of+Polyvinyl+Alcohol+Nanofibers+for+Three-Dimensional+Cell+Culture%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Funct+Biomater%22%5BJournal%5D)">Synthetic Extracellular Matrix of Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture.</a> J Funct Biomater. 15, 262(2024).</li>
<li>Oun, A. A., Shin, G. H., Rhim, J. -W., Kim, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Recent+advances+in+polyvinyl+alcohol-based+composite+films+and+their+applications+in+food+packaging%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Food+Packaging+Shelf+Life%22%5BJournal%5D)">Recent advances in polyvinyl alcohol-based composite films and their applications in food packaging.</a> Food Packaging Shelf Life. 34, 100991(2022).</li>
<li>Zhang, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Applications+of+poly%28caprolactone%29-based+nanofibre+electrospun+scaffolds+in+tissue+engineering+and+regenerative+medicine%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Curr+Stem+Cell+Res+Ther%22%5BJournal%5D)">Applications of poly(caprolactone)-based nanofibre electrospun scaffolds in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.</a> Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 16 (4), 414-442 (2021).</li>
<li>Jensen, C., Teng, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Is+it+time+to+start+transitioning+from+2D+to+3D+cell+culture%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Front+Mol+Biosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Is it time to start transitioning from 2D to 3D cell culture.</a> Front Mol Biosci. 7, 33(2020).</li>
<li>Rosso, F., Giordano, A., Barbarisi, M., Barbarisi, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((From+cell-ECM+interactions+to+tissue+engineering%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Cell+Physiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">From cell-ECM interactions to tissue engineering.</a> J Cell Physiol. 199 (2), 174-180 (2004).</li>
<li>Malakpour-Permlid, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Identification+of+extracellular+matrix+proteins+secreted+by+human+dermal+fibroblasts+cultured+in+3D+electrospun+scaffolds%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Sci+Rep%22%5BJournal%5D)">Identification of extracellular matrix proteins secreted by human dermal fibroblasts cultured in 3D electrospun scaffolds.</a> Sci Rep. 11, 6655(2021).</li>
<li>Lv, D., Hu, Z., Lu, L., Lu, H., Xu, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Three-dimensional+cell+culture%3A+a+powerful+tool+in+tumor+research+and+drug+discovery%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Oncol+Lett%22%5BJournal%5D)">Three-dimensional cell culture: a powerful tool in tumor research and drug discovery.</a> Oncol Lett. 14 (6), 6999-7010 (2017).</li>
<li>Torras, N., García-Díaz, M., Fernández-Majada, V., Martínez, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mimicking+epithelial+tissues+in+three-dimensional+cell+culture+models%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Front+Bioeng+Biotechnol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mimicking epithelial tissues in three-dimensional cell culture models.</a> Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 6, 197(2018).</li>
<li>Wilson, S. S., Tocchi, A., Holly, M. K., Parks, W. C., Smith, J. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+small+intestinal+organoid+model+of+non-invasive+enteric+pathogen-epithelial+cell+interactions%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Mucosal+Immunol%22%5BJournal%5D)">A small intestinal organoid model of non-invasive enteric pathogen-epithelial cell interactions.</a> Mucosal Immunol. 8 (2), 352-361 (2015).</li>
<li>Huch, M., Knoblich, J. A., Lutolf, M. P., Martinez-Arias, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+hope+and+the+hype+of+organoid+research%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">The hope and the hype of organoid research.</a> Development. 144 (6), 938-941 (2017).</li>
<li>Luo, L., Liu, L., Ding, Y., Dong, Y., Ma, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Advances+in+biomimetic+hydrogels+for+organoid+culture%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Chem+Commun.+%28Camb%29%22%5BJournal%5D)">Advances in biomimetic hydrogels for organoid culture.</a> Chem Commun. (Camb). 59 (64), 9675-9686 (2023).</li>
</ol>

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

The transition from 2D culture to 3D culture models represents a significant advancement in developing in vitro coculture models. A 3D culture model must mimic the tissue microenvironment in which cells can proliferate, aggregate, and differentiate22. The use of scaffold-based 3D coculture models enhances the replication of tissue architecture. In this study, an NM-based trans-well system provides indirect 3D coculture of two types of cells. The PCL NM with large pores in the lower chamber permits cellular infiltration and mimics the interstitial matrix. This scaffold supports the growth and spatial organization of fibroblasts. Using a PVA nanofibrous membrane in the upper chamber allows the formation of MLE-12 epithelial cells in the layer. The diameter and pore size of the PVA nanofibrous membrane make it an ideal substrate for supporting the adhesion and growth of epithelial cells, which mimics epithelial cells on the basement membrane in epithelial tissues19.
Cell-adhesive proteins such as fibronectin and laminin are key proteins in the ECM, which connect cells with collagen fibrils23. Epithelial cells interact with laminin through integrin receptors on their surface18. MLE-12 cells seeded on the PVA NMs adhered to and grew three-dimensionally on the membrane. However, epithelial cell binding to the porous PVA NM was low, resulting in aggregation because they lack specific biological motifs interacting with cultured cells. In our coculture system, direct cell-cell contact between NIH3T3 and MLE-12 cells is absent, and communication occurs exclusively through paracrine signaling. The presence of cocultured NIH3T3 cells may stabilize the attachment of MLE-12 cells to the membrane throughout the culture period. This stabilization can be attributed to the secretion of soluble factors by the fibroblasts, including collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and various growth factors24. In comparison, in a tumor model with direct coculture of fibroblasts and cancer cells in a PCL nanofibrous scaffold, fibroblasts alter the properties of the ECM through matrix remodeling25.
Epithelial cells rest on a basement membrane that acts as a growth support and selectively permeable layer. Several technological strategies, including organoid technology, are currently being developed to create 3D complex models of epithelial tissues26. However, organoid structure hampers the use of conventional assays27. In addition, conventional microscopy for experimental data collection is complicated by the fact that organoids are cultured while embedded in a 3D hydrogel matrix27. In this study, the insert chamber was separated from the low chamber to facilitate precise observation of epithelial cells cultured on PVA NM. Moreover, 3D organoids are produced by the differentiation of stem cells. Thus, culturing stem cells takes a long time and is a complex procedure compared to a coculturing system, and the heterogeneity of organoids is reported28.
Compared to monoculture, coculture of epithelial cells and fibroblasts improves adhesion to scaffold and maintains stable growth and function of the cultured epithelial cells. In addition, supplementary materials, including growth factors and cytokines, are not necessary in the culture medium due to soluble factors secreted by cocultured fibroblasts. Despite the advantages of using nanofibrous scaffolds in cell coculture by providing structural support, they cannot provide ECM surrounding culturing cells compared to biocompatible hydrogels29. Thus, this limitation can be achieved using cells on NM with over-layered hydrogels.
In conclusion, a simple insert co-culture system for simultaneous culture of fibroblasts and epithelial cells is crucial in various physiological and pharmacological contexts, including epithelial tissue regeneration, tumor microenvironment, toxicity assay, and drug activity test.A nanofibrous membrane-based 3D coculture system will be instrumented and designed for high throughput drug absorption and transport screening studies.

Over the decades, the classic two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture has been essential for understanding infections, pharmacology, and toxicology1,2. However, it is important to consider the complexity, dynamic interactions between multi-compositions, and three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the tissue microenvironment. Thus, the 2D cell culture has limitations in mimicking tissue-like structures3,4. For example, there is a lack of cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling, which&#160;is essential in cell differentiation, proliferation, and cellular functions in the vivo microenvironment. For these reasons, the systems of 3D cell cultures have been developed5. The cells in 3D culture grow and interact with the surrounding extracellular matrix in three dimensions. Furthermore, a 3D coculture approach, composed of more than one cell type, has been developed to bridge the gap between simplistic single-cell type in vitro models and the dynamic cellular interactions that occur in vivo6. 3D coculture systems have gained popularity in the study of cell-cell communication and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions7,8,9,10. Current 3D coculture systems have several forms and can be separated into direct and indirect coculture8,9. In direct coculture, various cell functions in cultured cells can be mainly affected by direct contact rather than paracrine effects. In comparison, indirect coculture has a greater advantage in investigating paracrine interaction by using barriers or layers to separate different cell types.
Various materials and methods are utilized to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds mimicking the ECM using biocompatible and biodegradable substances10. The nanofibrous scaffold structure mimics the configuration of native ECM in biological tissues, providing a 3D architecture for cell culture11,12. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes (NMs) have been used in direct and indirect coculture of different types of cells13,14,15.
Epithelial cells form a physical barrier of the major organs, whereas fibroblasts are predominant stroma cells that mediate ECM remodeling and regulate the neighboring epithelium6,16,17. Epithelial cells and fibroblasts interact with laminin in the basement membrane and fibronectin in the interstitial matrix, respectively, through integrin receptors on the cell surface18. When epithelial cells are cultured on the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) NMs with diameters of 150 - 250 nm and micropores, they form multi-layers instead of cell aggregates and spheroids, and their growth patterns are similar to those of the cells in epithelial tissue19. In comparison, the poly(caprolactone) (PCL) NMs with 400-1,500 nm diameters and 10-50 &#181;m micropores provide a similar spatial dimensionality to the interstitial matrix for the growth of cultured fibroblasts13,14. Due to their biocompatibility, PVA and PCL membranes are commonly used polymers in tissue engineering20,21.
This study introduces an advanced two-layer culture system using porous electrospun NMs to cultivate epithelial cells as tissue-like layers and fibroblasts within a 3D structure. The protocol can be divided into five key stages: nanofiber fabrication, fiber post-crosslink and quality assessment, preparation of membrane-attached culture well, cell seeding and 3D coculture, and assays of 3D cultured cells.

<table><tbody><tr><td>0.05% Trypsin/EDTA</td><td>Welgene</td><td>LS015-01</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>100x Penicilin/Streptomycin</td><td>Gibco</td><td>10378016</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>20x PBS</td><td>LPS solution</td><td>CBP007A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4% Paraformaldehyde</td><td>Biosesang</td><td>PC2031-050-00</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alexa Fluor-594 conjugated ZO-1 antibody</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>339194</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Antibody diluent OP Quanto</td><td>Epredia</td><td>10129-576</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CCK-8 assay kit</td><td>Donginbio</td><td>CCK-3000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cell culture dish (150x20)</td><td>SPL</td><td>20151</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CellTracker Green CMFDA</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>C7025</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CellTracker Red CMTPX</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>C34552</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chloroform</td><td>Samchun</td><td>C0584</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Conical tube</td><td>SPL</td><td>50050</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cover glass</td><td>Corning</td><td>CLS2980245</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DMEM high glucose</td><td>Welgene</td><td>LM001-05</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DMEM/F12</td><td>Welgene</td><td>LM 002-05</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DURAN Desiccator bases with plane flange, screw thread</td><td>DWK Life Sciences&amp;nbsp;</td><td>7.022 260</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DURAN Glass Desiccator Lid &amp;amp; Stopcock</td><td>Daihan Science</td><td>SM.2444061</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DURAN Stopcock, with PTFE Spindle</td><td>DWK Life Sciences&amp;nbsp;</td><td>10322671</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Electrospinning machine</td><td>NanoNC</td><td>ESR200RD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ethyl alcohol, Pure</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>459844</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>FBS</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>TMS-013-BKR&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fluorescence Laser Confocal Scanner Module K1-fluo</td><td>Nanoscope Systems</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gel/mount</td><td>Biomeda&amp;nbsp;Corp.</td><td>M01</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Glutaraldehyde solution</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>340855</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hoechst 33342</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>H1399</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Metal nozzle 27G</td><td>NanoNC</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nail polish</td><td>Nature republic</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Normal goat serum</td><td>Vector Laboratories</td><td>S-1000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Osmium tetroxide</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>201030</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Phalloidin-iFlour 488</td><td>abcam</td><td>ab176753</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Plastic Syringe_Lure Lock (10 mL)</td><td>HENKE SASS WOLF</td><td>AL10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Poly(acrylic acid)</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>323667</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Poly(vinyl alcohol)</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>341584</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Polycaprolactone</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>440744</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pure HCL</td><td>Duksan</td><td>1129</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Scanning Electron Microscopy</td><td>SEC</td><td>SNE-4500M</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Slide glass</td><td>Marienfeld Superior</td><td>K15663717</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sylgard 184 set</td><td>omniscience</td><td>OMNI.05255</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Synergy H1 Multimode Reader</td><td>Biotek</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Triton X-100</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>X100</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

establishing a three-dimensional coculture module of epithelial cells using nanofibrous membranes

Establishing a Three-Dimensional Coculture Module of Epithelial Cells Using Nanofibrous Membranes

Technical hurdles in a culture of epithelial cells include dedifferentiation and loss of function. Biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) cell culture methods can enhance cell culture efficiency. This study introduces an advanced two-layered culture system intended to cultivate epithelial cells as tissue-like layers with the culture of fibroblasts within a 3D environment. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(&#949;-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous membranes (NMs) were fabricated via electrospinning and utilized as a physiologically relevant extracellular matrix for the culture of epithelial cells and fibroblasts, respectively. In the upper insert wells, lung epithelial cells were cultivated on the PVA NM, and in the lower chambers, fibroblasts were cultured on the PCL NM. This configuration eliminates direct cell-cell contact and facilitates the examination of paracrine signaling mediated by soluble factors. Confocal microscopy was employed to analyze the distribution, growth pattern, and expression of intracellular proteins, including zona occludens in epithelial cells. Z-stacking techniques enabled detailed 3D reconstructions, providing precise insights into the integrity of tight junctions and spatial organization within the epithelial layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assessed the morphological characteristics of cell types on the nanofibrous membranes. SEM imaging revealed intricate cell surface structures and interactions with the nanofibers, offering a comprehensive perspective on cellular architecture and cell interaction with nanofibrous structure. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay is a simple method for measuring epithelial cell and fibroblast growth rates over time. It provides the proliferative behaviors and potential synergistic effects of coculturing these cells. These findings highlight the effectiveness of a simple insert co-culture system for simultaneous culture of fibroblasts and epithelial cells, which is crucial in various physiological and pharmacological contexts, including epithelial tissue regeneration, tumor microenvironment with endothelial, immune, and other stroma cells, toxicity assay, and drug activity test.

This protocol outlines the critical steps for coculturing MLE-12 lung epithelial cells and NIH3T3 fibroblasts by constructing a nanofibrous membrane-based two-layer model (Figure 1). This model suits live cell imaging, immunohistochemistry, and endpoint quantitative analysis of cocultured cells. Other cell types may also be utilized by optimizing cell density and growth conditions.
SEM shows the uniform distribution of fabricated PVA nanofibers without any bead formation (Figure 2A). The diameter of the PVA nanofibers ranged from 150 nm to 230 nm (180 ± 25 nm, mean ± standard deviation (SD)). The nanofibers in electrospun PCL NMs were randomly oriented and structurally resembled collagen (Figure 2B). Most fibers in PCL NMs had a diameter between 300 nm and 7 µm (3.8 ± 2.5 µm). Thus, PVA nanofibrous membrane had smaller pore sizes than PCL nanofibrous membrane.
Before seeding, MLE-12 and NIH3T3 cells were stained with Cell-Tracker red and green, respectively, and were monitored throughout the coculture process. As shown in Figure 3, the spatial distribution of MLE-12 cells in the insert chamber and NIH3T3 cells in the lower chamber could be distinctly observed. Focus-stacking analysis revealed that NIH3T3 cells were dispersed and detected at varying depths (102 ± 20 µm), whereas MLE-12 cells formed layers with a thickness of 80 ± 10 µm. SEM shows cell attachment to the membranes. NIH3T3 cells infiltrate the PCL nanofibrous membrane and extend along the nanofiber axes, while MLE-12 cells adhered to the surface of the PVA nanofibrous membrane and exhibited an aggregation (Figure 4). Next, we examined the cytoskeletal organization of NIH3T3 cells and MLE-12 cells by actin staining. NIH3T3 cells cultured on PCL nanofibrous membrane show a projectile distribution of actin filaments resembling cells in tissue, and actin staining in MLE-12 cells cultured on PVA nanofibrous membrane shows round aggregates with no cellular spreading (Figure 5).
The distribution and growth pattern of MLE-12 cells in monoculture and coculture were compared. Cell-Tracker red-stained cells in monoculture on the PVA NMs formed aggregates, but the cells in coculture condition maintained an even distribution on the membrane (Figure 6A). In a 3D analysis of confocal microscopy images, the growth pattern of cocultured MLE-12cells on the PVA NMs shows layered adhesion of cultured cells to the membrane with more confluent cell density, compared to cells cultured in the absence of fibroblasts (Figure 6B). In addition, cell-to-cell adhesion and expression of zonal occludin (ZO)-1 on the cell surfaces (arrow indicated), but not of cell aggregates, were more evident in the coculture condition than in culture without fibroblasts (Figure 6C).
The proliferation of cells on the membranes was measured using the CCK-8 assay. NIH3T3 and MLE-12 cell proliferation increased with time (Figure 7). However, lower growth rates of cells were observed on the membranes than on a culture plate (data not shown). Cocultured NIH3T3 and MLE-12 cells on NMs show a stable growth rate compared to the monocultured cells in a culture plate.
<img alt="Electrospun membrane coculture diagram; PCL/PVA scaffolds for MLE-12/NIH3T3 cell growth visualization." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig01.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 1"> 
Figure 1: Schematic to illustrate the NIH3T3 fibroblast and MLE-12 epithelial cell co-culture method in the scaffold-based two-layer system. Abbreviations: PVA = polyvinyl alcohol; PCL = poly(ε-caprolactone). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="SEM micrographs of nanofibers showing structure analysis; magnification 10,000× and 1,000×." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig02.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 2"> 
Figure 2: Structure of PVA and PCL nanofibers. (A) PVA and (B) PCL nanofibrous membranes were produced by electrospinning. The structure and diameter of the nanofibers are measured by SEM of the membrane surfaces. Scale bars = 1 µm (A), 10 µm (B). Abbreviations: PVA = polyvinyl alcohol; PCL = poly(ε-caprolactone). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="3D fluorescence microscopy of NIH3T3 and MLE-12 cells; image analysis, cell morphology, cell study." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig03.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 3"> 
Figure 3: In a coculture system, the spatial distribution of NIH3T3 cells on PCL nanofibrous membrane and MLE-12 cells on PVA nanofibrous membrane. NIH3T3 cells (4 × 105) were stained with Cell-Tracker Green, and MLE-12 cells (3 × 105) were stained with Cell-Tracker Red. The seeded cells were cultured for 24 h and observed using a Z-stacking image of a confocal microscope. The numbers are indicated in µm; arrows show dimensions with x (width), y (length), z (depth). Abbreviations: PVA = polyvinyl alcohol; PCL = poly(ε-caprolactone). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="NIH3T3 vs MLE-12 cell morphology; scanning electron microscope images, cellular structure comparison." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig04.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 4"> 
Figure 4: Adhesion and morphology of NIH3T3 cells on PCL nanofibrous membrane and MLE-12 cells on PVA nanofibrous membrane. The cells were cultured on the membranes for 24 h and observed using SEM at 2,000x magnification. Scale bars = 15 µm. Abbreviations: PVA = polyvinyl alcohol; PCL = poly(ε-caprolactone). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig04large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Phalloidin-stained microscopy image comparing NIH3T3 and MLE-12 cells' cytoskeletal structure." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig05.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 5"> 
Figure 5: Actin stress fibers in NIH3T3 cells on PCL nanofibrous membrane and MLE-12 cells on PVA nanofibrous membrane. NIH3T3 cells (4 × 105) and MLE-12 cells (3 × 105 cells) were seeded on the PCL and PVA nanofibrous membranes, respectively. After 48 h culture, cells were stained with phalloidin-iFlour 488 and observed using confocal microscopy. Scale bars = 50 µm. Abbreviations: PVA = polyvinyl alcohol; PCL = poly(ε-caprolactone); FITC = fluorescein isothiocyanate. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig05large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Cell interaction analysis: A) Cell culture comparison, B) 3D cell distribution, C) Fluorescence microscopy." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig06.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 6"> 
Figure 6: Growth pattern of cocultured MLE-12 cells on PVA nanofibrous membrane. (A) Cell-Tracker red-stained MLE-12 cells (3 × 105 cells) were seeded on the PVA nanofibrous membrane and cultured alone (-NIH3T3 cells) and with NIH3T3 cells in a two-layer system (+NIH3T3 cells) for 48 h. (B) Monocultured and cocultured MLE-12 cells for 48 h were stained with Hoechst 33342 (blue) and Phalloidin-iFlour 488 and observed using a confocal microscope. The 3D images are shown using the surface function of Imaris software. (C) MLE-12 cells were cultured for 48 h and fluorescently labeled with Phalloidin-iFlour 488 and anti-ZO-1 antibody (red). Scale bars = 50 µm. Abbreviations: PVA = polyvinyl alcohol. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig06large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Cell growth chart; OD vs. culture time for NIH3T3, MLE-12 cells; absorbance at 450nm." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig07.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1788304762000" data-alt="Figure 7"> 
Figure 7: Growth rate of the cells in a two-layer coculture system. NIH3T3 cells (4 × 105) and MLE-12 cells (3 × 105) are cocultured for the indicated time. Cell growth in the insert and bottom well is measured using the CCK-8 assay. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/67780/67780fig07large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Here, we demonstrate how epithelial cells cultured with fibroblasts in the nanofibrous membrane-based two-layer system can stably adhere to and grow on the membrane.

Technical hurdles in a culture of epithelial cells include dedifferentiation and loss of function. Biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) cell culture methods ...

establishing-three-dimensional-coculture-module-epithelial-cells

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

A simple method is described for analyzing effects of tissue fibroblasts on associated epithelial cells.  The combination of this method and three-dimensional tissue culture can facilitate analysis of cells after isolation from 3D.  The technique is applicable to cells of varying malignant potential, allowing systematic study of effects of tumor-associated stroma on tumor cells.

Isolation of Mammary Epithelial Cells from Three-dimensional Mixed-cell Spheroid Co-culture

Advancements in biomaterial technologies enable the development of three-dimensional multi-cell-type constructs. We have developed electrospinning protocols to produce three individual scaffolds to culture the main structural cells of the airway to provide a 3D in vitro model of the airway bronchiole wall.

Adapting the Electrospinning Process to Provide Three Unique Environments for a Tri-layered In Vitro Model of the Airway Wall

This manuscript describes a soft lithography-based technique to engineer uniform arrays of three-dimensional (3D) epithelial tissues of defined geometry surrounded by extracellular matrix. This method is amenable to a wide variety of cell types and experimental contexts and allows for high-throughput screening of identical replicates.

Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix

Current bilayer culture models do not allow for functional in vitro studies that mimic in vivo microenvironments. Using polyethylene glycol and a zinc oxide templating method, this protocol describes the development of an ultrathin biomimetic basement membrane with tunable stiffness, porosity, and biochemical composition that closely mimics in vivo extracellular matrices.

Ultrathin Porated Elastic Hydrogels As a Biomimetic Basement Membrane for Dual Cell Culture

Here, we present a protocol to obtain 3D-culture systems in self-assembling peptide scaffolds to promote the differentiation of dedifferentiated human articular chondrocytes into cartilage-like tissue.

Culturing Mammalian Cells in Three-dimensional Peptide Scaffolds

This protocol describes the isolation of epithelial cells from different anatomical regions of the human amniotic membrane to determine their heterogeneity and functional properties for possible application in clinical and physiopathological models.

In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane

The presented protocol describes the development and use of a phalloidin-based filamentous-actin staining technique with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to visualize adherent cell layer structure in microfluidic dynamic-culture channels and traditional fixed-well static-culture chambers. This approach aids in evaluating cell layer confluency, monolayer formation, and layer-thickness uniformity.

Preparation and Structural Evaluation of Epithelial Cell Monolayers in a Physiologically Sized Microfluidic Culture Device

Tissue culture inserts with plastic membranes are the golden standard in cell culture labs as permeable supports to establish cell layers and models of barrier tissues. Herein, we present a simple method to replace the plastic membrane with a more biologically relevant membrane made from a recombinant functionalized spider silk protein.

Nanofibrillar Basement Membrane Mimic Made of Recombinant Functionalized Spider Silk in Custom-Made Tissue Culture Inserts

A novel sealing protocol to produce water-tight silicone-based seals for membranes of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip devices. Intended for labs setting-up chip models and small-scale chip platform development. We demonstrate the protocol using plastic and native tissue membranes. This procedure only requires PDMS, toluene, mold, membrane, and a vacuum chamber.

Accessible Silicone Chip-to-Membrane Sealing Procedure for Flexible, Reliable Bonding

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) is an emerging technology capable of imaging optical absorption contrasts in vivo with cellular resolution and sensitivity. Here, we provide a visualized instruction on the experimental protocols of OR-PAM, including system configuration, system alignment, typical in vivo experimental procedures, and functional imaging schemes.

Three-dimensional Optical-resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy

Learn to establish a 3D coculture system using PVA and PCL nanofibrous membranes for epithelial and fibroblast cells. This method enables multi-layered tissue formation and improved cellular interaction studies.

Establishing a Three-Dimensional Coculture Module of Epithelial Cells Using Nanofibrous Membranes

Explore More Videos