High-Resolution Imaging of Tumor Spheroids and Organoids Enabled by Expansion Microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Three-dimensional cell cultures are able to better mimic the physiology and cellular environments found in tissues in vivo compared to cells grown in two dimensions. In order to study the structure and function of cells in 3-D cultures, light microscopy is frequently used. The preparation of 3-D cell cultures for light microscopy is often destructive, including physical sectioning of the samples, which can result in the loss of 3-D information. In order to probe the structure of 3-D cell cultures at high resolution, we have explored the use of expansion microscopy and compared it to a simple immersion clearing protocol. We provide a practical method for the study of spheroids, organoids and tumor-infiltrating immune cells at high resolution without the loss of spatial organization.

SUBMITTER: Edwards SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7543521 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature