Processing techniques reference cell cultures

A TMA can be constructed from cultured cell lines. These cell line samples can serve as control samples because they have been extensively used in the literature and their profile for the marker of interest might be well documented (10,11,12). The cell line pellets are processed in a manner similar to that for routine surgical pathology tissue. This is important because it eliminates any variability related to fixation protocols with reference to immunohistochemical reactivity and sample viability. Use of a resin-based approach has also been described (13). This technique provides excellent morphology and minimizes variability of marker expression related to fixation protocols. 

In complex in vivo environments, it is difficult to clarify the exact effect of a specific force or to delineate the role of a specific signaling pathway in mechanotransduction processes due to the interference of myriad chemical factors and the presence of other mechanical forces. Therefore, investigations on cellular responses to mechanical stimulation have relied heavily on the use of in vitro systems. Table 33.1 summarizes devices that are commonly used to subject cultured cells to flow, stretch, and pressure [52]. These devices expose a large number of cells to well-defined mechanical stimuli that replicate physiological loading. Techniques for applying localized forces to individual cells have been developed. The reader is referred to other resources on the subject [2]. 

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