ABSTRACT
The phenotype of cultured cells often differs from the characteristics that predominate in the tissue from which it was derived. This difference is due to the loss of the three-dimensional architecture of the surrounding tissue, reduced cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and an altered hormonal and nutritional milieu. These and other factors that regulate geometry, growth and function in vivo are absent in vitro, creating an environment that favors spreading, migration and proliferation of unspecialized cells, rather than the expression of differentiated functions. Therefore, providing cells in vitro the appropriate culture conditions is a fundamental prerequisite to allow them to express their specialized functions.
