Epithelial cellular organization and proliferation inside fabricated microchannels.

<p><b>A.</b> Schematic representation of an epithelial cell monolayer covering the inner wall of the circular channels fabricated in polydimethylo-siloxane (PDMS). <b>B.</b> Cross-section of a microchannel formed in PDMS and coated with Matrigel. Cells infused into channels adhere to 3D-confined scaffolds and form a confluent layer (Actin in red, nuclei in blue). Bar 50 µm. <b>C.</b> Organization of MCF10A cells forming a confluent monolayer after 5 days of growth inside a Matrigel-coated tube (diameter 150 µm). Phase contrast images. Note that the focus of each image is at different plane (top, middle and bottom of the tube as indicated in A.). Scale bar = 100 µm. <b>D.</b> Apotome Z-stack of PC3 cells on PSS substrate stained with Hoechst (top panel) and Phalloidin (lower panel). Separate-channel images are shown and three positions of the tubes (as indicated in A) are viewed.