Partner, Neighbor, Housekeeper and Dimension: 3D versus 2D Glomerular Co-Cultures Reveal Drawbacks of Currently Used Cell Culture Models

Abstract excerpt

Signaling-pathway analyses and the investigation of gene responses to different stimuli are usually performed in 2D monocultures. However, within the glomerulus, cells grow in 3D and are involved in direct and paracrine interactions with different glomerular cell types. Thus, the results from 2D monoculture experiments must be taken with caution. We cultured glomerular endothelial cells, podocytes and mesangial...