Table 1.
Monoculture | Nonscaffolded coculture | Organotypic coculture | |
---|---|---|---|
Composition | Simple | Moderate, multicellular | Complex 3D, multicellular |
Interactivity | Direct response to stimulus | Synergistic/antagonistic/intercellular | Synergistic/antagonistic/intercellul- ar/stratified |
In vivo likeness | Least similar | Moderately similar | Best model of in vivo |
Technical requirements | Simple culture and media components | Distinct media needs, no scaffolding requirements | Extensive expertise in media, culture and perfusion |
Contamination | Low risk | Moderate risk with continuous cell lines | Moderate risk with continuous cell lines |
Architecture considerations | Monolayer or suspension | Mixed monolayer, suspension, or combination | Scaffolds, gels, permeable barriers, media perfusion |