Distribution of Fe, Cu and Zn in Cellular Spheroid Derived Human Prostate Tumor Cells by Synchrotron X-Ray Fluorescence
The formation of three-dimensional cell microspheres such as spheroids has attracted attention as a useful culture technique. In this study, we investigated the distribution (mapping) of Fe, Cu and Zn in cellular spheroid derived human prostate tumor cells. The measurements were performed in standard geometry of 45° incidence, exciting with a white beam collimated with the help of a 20 μm diameter optical capillary in the XRF beam line at the Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (Campinas, Brazil). The results showed that all the elements analyzed presented non-uniform distribution. The spheroids analyzed showed different elemental distribution of Fe and Cu. Zinc concentrations were higher in the central regions of the spheroids analyzed.