The behavior of 3D-cultured cells is more reflective of in vivo cellular responses. 3D cell culture systems represent more accurately the actual microenvironment found in tissues in the body. Research has shown that cells in a 3D culture environment differ morphologically and physiologically from cells in a 2D culture environment.
The additional dimensionality of 3D culture is the crucial feature leading to the difference in cellular responses because not only does it influence the spatial organization of the cell surface receptors engaged in interactions with surrounding cells, but it also induces physical constraints to cells. These spatial and physical aspects in 3D cultures affect the signal transduction from the outside to the inside of the cells, and ultimately influence gene expression and cellular behavior. The adjacent diagram provides a depiction of the effects of 3D verse 2D of cell culture systems.
Differentiation - Increases the differentiation activity of certain stem cells and increases the duration of undifferentiated state of other stem cells
Drug Metabolism - Decreases the anti-proliferative effect of some anticancer drugs and increases albumin and urea production
Gene Expression - Causes different levels of gene expression and enables expression of some genes that do not express in 2D
General Cell Function - Enhances performance and functional activity of human liver cells and induces well developed cell-cell contact
Morphology - Induces clear differences in morphology, arrangement and polarization and increases the neurite extension length
Proliferation - Increases growth rate and attachment of mesenchymal stem cells and decreases proliferation of breast cancer cells
Response to Stimuli - Decreases responsiveness to intracellular Ca2+ and decreases response to K+
Viability - Increases long term cell growth and supports cell survival under conditions of calcium and nutrient deprivation
Source: http://3dcellculture.com/just_the_facts_3D_vs_2d_cell_culture
