Objective To establish a three - dimensional colon cancer cells culture model

multicellular spheroids for HT29 cells and detect their basic biology.  Methods Multicellular spheroids of HT29 cells were cultured in flasks coated with 2% agarose by gently convoluting horizontally. Scanning electron microscopy

HE staining and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the histopathology of HT29 multicellular spheroids

and transmission electron microscopy was used to detect the ultrastructure. Drug sensitivities of both HT29 monolayer and HT29 multicellular spheroids were evaluated by using cell counting kit - 8.  Results HT29 multicellular spheroids consisted of layers of cells whic

h adhered with each other closely and cell - cell junctions were found in most cells in multicellular spheroids. Lumen - like of glands were found in multicellular spheroids. Expression level of cytokeratin was related with lumen. HT29 cells acquired multicellular drug resistance when grown as multicellular spheroids. Cell survival fraction of HT29 monolayers was (9.3±2.0)% when they were treated with 500 μg/L oxaliplatin for 48 h

while that of multicellular spheroids was (42.9 ± 4.0)% (

P

0 . 05). Conclusion Multicellular spheroids of HT29 cells are an eligible model to mimic microtumors and avascular tumor regions

in vivo

and helpful to research the structure formation and cell function crypt.