ObjectiveTo investigate the growth characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells in the twodimensional culture system (monolayer) and threedimensional culture system (type Ⅰ collagen and extracellular matrix gel). MethodsThree pancreatic cancer cell lines (SW1990, PCT, and ASPC1) were cultured in monolayer, type Ⅰ collagen, and extracellular matrix gel, respectively. The growth patterns were observed, growth curves were detected by CCK8 test, and the cell cycle distributions were analyzed by propidium iodide staining. Results In the twodimensional culture system, cells grew in monolayer. In the type Ⅰ collagen and the ECM gel threedimensional culture system, cells formed multicellular spheroids (MCS), of which the growth rates were slower than those of the cells in monolayer. The proportions of S phase of SW1990, PCT, and ASPC1 cells in twodimensional culture system were significantly more than those in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d and 8 d 〔(29.6±3.0)% vs. (18.2±5.1)%, (33.6±2.1)% vs. (14.5±3.2)%, (33.1±1.8)% vs. (24.7±2.6)%; Plt;0.05〕, while the difference of proportion of three cell lines in G2/M phase was not different between twodimensional culture system and type Ⅰ collagen (Pgt;0.05). The proportions of G0/G1 phase of SW1990 and PCT cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d and 8 d and ASPC1 cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d were significant more than those cultured in twodimensional culture system (Plt;0.05). The proportions of S phase of ASPC1 cells and SW1990 cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d were significant more than those cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 8 d (Plt;0.05). ConclusionsThe characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells in twodimensional and threedimensional culture systems are different. MCS culture system can better mimic the in vivo growth environment of cells in tumors.
