Figure 2.

Different approaches for 3D cell culture model development. Cells included in the 3D model can derive from isolated primary cells or from cell lines. The microenvironment can be mainly represented by either scaffold-free or scaffold-based strategies. The scaffold-free approach relies on the self-aggregation of cells in specialized culture plates, such as hanging drop microplates or low adhesion plates with low attachment coating, or in the presence of a magnetic field. The scaffold-based approach is instead based on the use of a scaffold that provides physical support to the cells and encourages cell growth and differentiation. The scaffold can be made by synthetic or natural biopolymers, by hydrogels (3D bioprinting) or by polymeric hard platforms that can include microfluidic networks. Created with BioRender.com and adapted from free BioRender templates (2020).