Modeling Biochemical Gradients In Vitro to Control Cell Compartmentalization in a Microengineered 3D Model of the Intestinal Epithelium

The authors present a new in vitro model of the small intestine based on primary epithelial cells, apically accessible, with native tissue mechanical properties and controlled mesh size, 3D villus-like architecture, and precisely controlled biomolecular gradients of the intestinal stem cell niche.