Journal of Cell Science 116, e1201 (2003)
Copyright © 2003 The Company of Biologists Limited
Signalling in 3D
`Physiological relevance' is essential in research into intracellular
signalling. Nevertheless, much of our understanding of signalling has been
gleaned from studies in 2D cell cultures or in vitro rather than in 3D
contexts that mimic the situation in vivo. In a Commentary on
p. 2377, Karen Schmeichel and
Mina Bissell discuss the range of 3D model systems that now allow examination
of how the 3D environment affects how cells perceive and interpret
extracellular signals. These range from monotypic 3D cultures in which cells
are embedded in laminin-rich reconstituted basement membrane, which have
underscored the importance of the extracellular matrix in control of
differentiation, to xenograft in vivo models. The latter are highlighting the
importance of the stroma in control of organ function, showing, for example,
that it is necessary for elaboration of mammary structure and plays an
important role in promoting tumour development. Schmeichel and Bissell suggest
that these models have immense potential for assessment of potential
therapeutic agents but conclude that ultimate physiological relevance will be
achieved only once we can model not just tissues but entire organs in
vivo.
Related articles in JCS:
- Modeling tissue-specific signaling and organ function in three dimensions
- Karen L. Schmeichel and Mina J. Bissell
JCS 2003 116: 2377-2388.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
