Spheroid Generation from Cell Lines: A Three-Dimensional (3D) Cell Culture Method

Abstract

Source: Dillard, P., et al. A Spheroid Killing Assay by CAR T Cells. J. Vis. Exp. (2018).

Spheroids are a type of 3D cell culture model used to more accurately represent a cell’s environment compared to 2D cell culture monolayer models. In the example protocol, we will see scientists generate spheroids from a colorectal cancer cell line and apply live-cell imaging to track the spheroids’ growth.

Protocol

1. Generation of Spheroids from Colorectal Cancer Cell Line Wash HCT 116 (stably transduced to express Cluster of Differentiation 19 (CD19) and Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP)) cell monolayers with phosphate buffered saline (PBS; 5 mL for a 25 cm2 or 10 mL for a 75 cm2 flask). Add trypsin (0.5 mL for a 25 cm2 or 1 mL for a 75 cm2 flask) and incubate cells at 37 °C for 5 min. Check cell detachment under a microscop…

Materials

Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline	SIGMA-ALDRICH	D8537-500ML	Lot Number: RNBG7037
75 cm² growth area flasks	VWR	430639	Lot Number: 2218002
75 cm² growth area flasks	VWR	734-2705	Lot Number: 3718006
Trypsin-EDTA	SIGM-ALDRICH	T3924-100ml	Lot Number: SLBTO777
RPMI 1640 med L-glutamin, 10 x 500 mL	Life Technology (Gibco)	21875-091	Lot Number: 1926384
Gentamicin	Thermo Fischer	15750060	Lot Number: 1904924A
Trypan Blue Solution, 0.4%	Thermo Fischer	15250061	Lot Number: 1886513
96 well plate, round bottom	VWR	734-1797	Lot Number: 33117036
X-VIVO 15 with Gentamicin L-Gln, Phenol Red, 1 L	BioNordika	BE02-060Q	Lot Number: 8MB036
Reagent Reservoir	VWR	89094-672	Lot Number: 89094-672
15 mL tubes	VWR	734-1867	Lot Number: 19317044
Fetal Bovine Serum	Gibco	10500064	Lot Number: 08Q3066K
HCT 116 Colorectal Carcinoma Line	ATCC	CCL-247	–
Incucyte S3	Essen Bioscience