Functional Analysis Of Micropatterned Co-Cultures

Abstract

Communication between distinct cell types or ‘heterotypic cell-cell interaction’ is central to the function of many organ systems. A common theme for heterotypic cell-cell interactions is the interaction of parenchymal cells (the functional cell of an organ) with stromal neighbors (typically components of supporting organ structures). Often this interaction results in modulation of cell growth, migration, and/or differentiation of either cell type. These interaction are of fundamental importance in embryonic development, and adult liver, skin, vasculature, muscle, and hematopoietic physiology. In some cases, studies on parenchymal interaction with supporting stroma have led to important in vitro systems for expansion and differentiation of human cells for therapeutic applications (bone marrow-Trentin, 1989; and skin- Boykin and Molnar, 1992). These complex interactions are also implicated in normal physiology of repair and regeneration as well as in the dysregulated growth of cancer (Goldberg and Rosen, 1995). Further understanding of how cell-cell interactions modulate tissue function will allow us to gain fundamental insight into mammalian physiology as well as suggest approaches which will allow the manipulation of tissue function in vitro for therapeutic applications.