A Method of Creating a Cell Monolayer Based on Organotypic Culture for Screening of Physiologically Active Substances

We developed a method of culturing and phenotyping of a monolayer of cells of the retinal tissue, thymus and spleen on the basis of organotypic culture. All characteristic types of neurons and fibroblasts were found in their microenvironment in the retinal cell monolayer. Lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts were verified in the monolayer of thymus and spleen cells. Histological staining, immunocytochemistry, and electron microscopy demonstrated the possibility of assessing the differentiation degree and functional activity of the cell monolayer. The developed technique preserves cell-cell interactions and a variety of cell types characteristic of the examined organ in the monolayer. This opens up new prospects for its application in basic research and in screening of different physiologically active substances.