Advancing animal health and disease research in the lab with three-dimensional cell culture systems

Abstract

The development of three-dimensional cell culture systems representative of tissues from animals of veterinary interest is accelerating research that seeks to address specific questions tied to animal health. In terms of their relevance and complexity, these in vitro models can be seen as a midpoint between the more reductionist single-cell culture systems and complex live animals. Organoids in particular represent a significant development due to their organised multicellular structure that more closely represents in vivo tissues than any other cell culture technology previously developed. In this review, we provide an overview of the different three-dimensional cell culture systems available to veterinary researchers and give examples of their application in contexts relating to animal health.