Lai, YinzhiAsthana, AmishKisaalita, William S.2025-04-162025-04-162011Lai, Y., Asthana, A., Cheng, K., & Kisaalita, W. S. (2011). Neural cell 3D microtissue formation is marked by cytokines' up-regulation. PLoS One, 6(10), e26821.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026821https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026821https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/10813Cells cultured in three dimensional (3D) scaffolds as opposed to traditional two-dimensional (2D) substrates have been considered more physiologically relevant based on their superior ability to emulate the in vivo environment. Combined with stem cell technology, 3D cell cultures can provide a promising alternative for use in cell-based assays or biosensors in non-clinical drug discovery studies. To advance 3D culture technology, a case has been made for identifying and validating three-dimensionality biomarkers. With this goal in mind, we conducted a transcriptomic expression comparison among neural progenitor cells cultured on 2D substrates, 3D porous polystyrene scaffolds, and as 3D neurospheres (in vivo surrogate). Up-regulation of cytokines as a group in 3D and neurospheres was observed. A group of 13 cytokines were commonly up-regulated in cells cultured in polystyrene scaffolds and neurospheres, suggesting potential for any or a combination from this list to serve as three-dimensionality biomarkers. These results are supportive of further cytokine identification and validation studies with cells from non-neural tissue.enArticle