A collagen matrix microassay for use in tumour-stromal cell co-cultures.

A collagen matrix microassay technique is described in which separation of collagen layers permits independent assessment of the proliferative capacity of each of two discrete cell populations. The two cell types used in this study were an established colon cancer cell line and a normal colon fibroblast cell line cultured under serum-free conditions. The implications of this in vitro technique for studies of tumour-host cell interactions are discussed.