Advanced 3D Models of Human Brain Tissue Using Neural Cell Lines: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects

Rachele Fabbri; Ludovica Cacopardo; Arti Ahluwalia; Chiara Magliaro

doi:10.3390/cells12081181

Advanced 3D Models of Human Brain Tissue Using Neural Cell Lines: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects

Cells. 2023 Apr 18;12(8):1181. doi: 10.3390/cells12081181.

Authors

Rachele Fabbri^{1

2}, Ludovica Cacopardo^{1

2

3}, Arti Ahluwalia^{1

2

3}, Chiara Magliaro^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
² Department of Information Engineering (DII), University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
³ Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3R Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Italy.

Abstract

Human-relevant three-dimensional (3D) models of cerebral tissue can be invaluable tools to boost our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying brain pathophysiology. Nowadays, the accessibility, isolation and harvesting of human neural cells represents a bottleneck for obtaining reproducible and accurate models and gaining insights in the fields of oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and toxicology. In this scenario, given their low cost, ease of culture and reproducibility, neural cell lines constitute a key tool for developing usable and reliable models of the human brain. Here, we review the most recent advances in 3D constructs laden with neural cell lines, highlighting their advantages and limitations and their possible future applications.

Keywords: glioblastoma cell lines; in vitro advanced brain models; neuroblastoma cell lines.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Brain*
Cell Line
Humans
Neurodegenerative Diseases*
Reproducibility of Results

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the HORIZON European Innovation Council (HORIZON-EIC-2022-PathfinderOpen) under grant agreement number 101099310 (NAP).