Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: An exploratory in vitro co-culture of enteric neurons and smooth muscle cells demonstrates neuronal contribution to muscle layer formation

doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-39409-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: Schematic representation of plates with inserts and different layouts of muscle and ENS cells in a three-dimensional matrix: ( a ) plates with insert, which allows the medium to surround and support the co-culture from all sides, ( b ) SMCs without ENS cells in the 3D-matrix, ( c ) SMCs and ENS cells equally distributed in 3D-matrix, ( d ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells - in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( e ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( f ) SMCs and ENS cells distributed in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( g ) mixed SMCs and ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix, ( h ) different layouts between SMCs and isolated myenteric plexus (ENS cells). SMCs alone, with direct contact and without direct contact to isolated myenteric plexus cells.

Article Snippet: Fig. 8 Schematic representation of plates with inserts and different layouts of muscle and ENS cells in a three-dimensional matrix: ( a ) plates with insert, which allows the medium to surround and support the co-culture from all sides, ( b ) SMCs without ENS cells in the 3D-matrix, ( c ) SMCs and ENS cells equally distributed in 3D-matrix, ( d ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells - in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( e ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( f ) SMCs and ENS cells distributed in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( g ) mixed SMCs and ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix, ( h ) different layouts between SMCs and isolated myenteric plexus (ENS cells).

Techniques: Co-Culture Assay, Isolation

Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: An exploratory in vitro co-culture of enteric neurons and smooth muscle cells demonstrates neuronal contribution to muscle layer formation

doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-39409-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: Images of 3 weeks old co-culture of ENS cells and muscle cells in different layouts: ( a ) SMCs alone, ( b ) paracrine interaction between SMCs and ENS cells, ( c ) direct contact between SMCs and ENS cells Scale bars 100 μm, ( d ) paracrine interaction between SMCs and ENS in higher magnification, ( e ) Direct contact between smooth muscle and ENS cells in higher magnification.– muscle cells Scale bars 20 μm, ( f ) 3D reconstruction of muscle fibers in confocal microscopy by the direct contact between SMCs and ENS, ( j ) neurons, which are intercommunicated in the neuronal net within the muscle layer by the direct contact between SMCs and ENS. Confocal microscopy, Green (ß-Tubulin III) – neurons, red (smooth muscle actin (SMA)) – muscle cells. Scale bars 50 μm.

Article Snippet: Fig. 8 Schematic representation of plates with inserts and different layouts of muscle and ENS cells in a three-dimensional matrix: ( a ) plates with insert, which allows the medium to surround and support the co-culture from all sides, ( b ) SMCs without ENS cells in the 3D-matrix, ( c ) SMCs and ENS cells equally distributed in 3D-matrix, ( d ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells - in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( e ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( f ) SMCs and ENS cells distributed in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( g ) mixed SMCs and ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix, ( h ) different layouts between SMCs and isolated myenteric plexus (ENS cells).

Techniques: Co-Culture Assay, Confocal Microscopy

Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: An exploratory in vitro co-culture of enteric neurons and smooth muscle cells demonstrates neuronal contribution to muscle layer formation

doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-39409-3

Figure Lengend Snippet: Imaging of the whole thickness of the 3D scaffolds after 3 weeks of ENS cells and muscle cells co-culture in different layouts: ( a ) SMCs without ENS cells, ( b ) paracrine interaction between SMCs and ENS cells, ( c ) direct contact between SMCs and ENS cells. Confocal microscopy, Green (ß-Tubulin III) – neurons, red (smooth muscle actin (SMA)) – muscle cells.

Article Snippet: Fig. 8 Schematic representation of plates with inserts and different layouts of muscle and ENS cells in a three-dimensional matrix: ( a ) plates with insert, which allows the medium to surround and support the co-culture from all sides, ( b ) SMCs without ENS cells in the 3D-matrix, ( c ) SMCs and ENS cells equally distributed in 3D-matrix, ( d ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells - in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( e ) SMCs distributed in upper and lower layers, ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( f ) SMCs and ENS cells distributed in the middle layer of the 3D-matrix. ( g ) mixed SMCs and ENS cells densely arranged in the same plane of the middle layer of the 3D-matrix, ( h ) different layouts between SMCs and isolated myenteric plexus (ENS cells).

Techniques: Imaging, Co-Culture Assay, Confocal Microscopy

Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: A high-throughput three-dimensional cell migration assay for toxicity screening with mobile device-based macroscopic image analysis

doi: 10.1038/srep03000

Figure Lengend Snippet: IC 50 's of ibuprofen and SDS with HEK293s and SMCs found using ring closure, cell migration, and 2D and 3D cell viability

Article Snippet: HEK293s (ATCC, Manassas, VA) and SMCs (ScienCell, Carlsbad, CA) were both cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, ScienCell) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Access Biologicals, Vista, CA) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO).

Techniques: Migration, Cell Migration Assay