Cellstackens

Cellstackens are a conceptual class of multicellular constructs in which cells are organized into vertically stacked layers, permitting defined interlayer signaling and mechanical coupling. The term is used in theoretical and experimental discussions of layered tissue organization and tissue engineering.

Architecturally, cellstackens consist of repeated cell-laden sheets separated by extracellular matrix or scaffold elements. Stacks may be homogeneous, composed of a single cell type, or heterotypic, with basal and apical surfaces exhibiting distinct polarity. The interlayer spacing and matrix composition influence diffusion, signaling gradients, and the overall mechanical properties of the stack.

Formation and study of cellstackens occur in natural and engineered contexts. In nature, vertical stacking is evident in stratified epithelia and certain organ primordia. In engineered systems, researchers explore stacking as a way to model tissue depth and zonation. Approaches described in the literature include guided assembly on microfabricated supports and layered seeding of different cell types, often in combination with biophysical cues and nutrient delivery strategies.

Applications of the concept include modeling tissue development, studying disease progression in layered tissues, and enabling drug screening where depth-dependent cellular responses are relevant. Cellstackens provide a platform for examining interlayer communication, diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, and mechanical interactions within tissue-like constructs.

Etymology and terminology reflect the idea of vertically arranged cell layers. The term cellstackens emphasizes the stacked morphology, and the concept remains a topic of ongoing discussion with no single universally adopted definition.