201
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Puschhof J, Pleguezuelos-Manzano C, Clevers H. Organoids and organs-on-chips: Insights into human gut-microbe interactions. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:867-878. [PMID: 34111395 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The important and diverse roles of the gut microbiota in human health and disease are increasingly recognized. The difficulty of inferring causation from metagenomic microbiome sequencing studies and from mouse-human interspecies differences has prompted the development of sophisticated in vitro models of human gut-microbe interactions. Here, we review recent advances in the co-culture of microbes with intestinal and colonic epithelia, comparing the rapidly developing fields of organoids and organs-on-chips with other standard models. We describe how specific individual processes by which microbes and epithelia interact can be recapitulated in vitro. Using examples of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, we highlight the advantages of each culture model and discuss current trends and future possibilities to build more complex co-cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Puschhof
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cayetano Pleguezuelos-Manzano
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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202
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Goldstein Y, Spitz S, Turjeman K, Selinger F, Barenholz Y, Ertl P, Benny O, Bavli D. Breaking the Third Wall: Implementing 3D-Printing Technics to Expand the Complexity and Abilities of Multi- Organ-on-a-Chip Devices. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:627. [PMID: 34071476 PMCID: PMC8227399 DOI: 10.3390/mi12060627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The understanding that systemic context and tissue crosstalk are essential keys for bridging the gap between in vitro models and in vivo conditions led to a growing effort in the last decade to develop advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices. However, many of the proposed devices have failed to implement the means to allow for conditions tailored to each organ individually, a crucial aspect in cell functionality. Here, we present two 3D-print-based fabrication methods for a generic multi-organ-on-a-chip device: One with a PDMS microfluidic core unit and one based on 3D-printed units. The device was designed for culturing different tissues in separate compartments by integrating individual pairs of inlets and outlets, thus enabling tissue-specific perfusion rates that facilitate the generation of individual tissue-adapted perfusion profiles. The device allowed tissue crosstalk using microchannel configuration and permeable membranes used as barriers between individual cell culture compartments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation confirmed the capability to generate significant differences in shear stress between the two individual culture compartments, each with a selective shear force. In addition, we provide preliminary findings that indicate the feasibility for biological compatibility for cell culture and long-term incubation in 3D-printed wells. Finally, we offer a cost-effective, accessible protocol enabling the design and fabrication of advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoel Goldstein
- Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Sarah Spitz
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, 1040 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (F.S.); (P.E.)
| | - Keren Turjeman
- Membrane and Liposome Research Lab, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (K.T.); (Y.B.)
| | - Florian Selinger
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, 1040 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (F.S.); (P.E.)
| | - Yechezkel Barenholz
- Membrane and Liposome Research Lab, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (K.T.); (Y.B.)
| | - Peter Ertl
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, 1040 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (F.S.); (P.E.)
| | - Ofra Benny
- Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Danny Bavli
- Membrane and Liposome Research Lab, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (K.T.); (Y.B.)
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203
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Clark AM, Heusey HL, Griffith LG, Lauffenburger DA, Wells A. IP-10 (CXCL10) Can Trigger Emergence of Dormant Breast Cancer Cells in a Metastatic Liver Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:676135. [PMID: 34123844 PMCID: PMC8190328 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.676135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer remains a largely incurable and fatal disease with liver involvement bearing the worst prognosis. The danger is compounded by a subset of disseminated tumor cells that may lie dormant for years to decades before re-emerging as clinically detectable metastases. Pathophysiological signals can drive these tumor cells to emerge. Prior studies indicated CXCR3 ligands as being the predominant signals synergistically and significantly unregulated during inflammation in the gut-liver axis. Of the CXCR3 ligands, IP-10 (CXCL10) was the most abundant, correlated significantly with shortened survival of human breast cancer patients with metastatic disease and was highest in those with triple negative (TNBC) disease. Using a complex ex vivo all-human liver microphysiological (MPS) model of dormant-emergent metastatic progression, CXCR3 ligands were found to be elevated in actively growing populations of metastatic TNBC breast cancer cells whereas they remained similar to the tumor-free hepatic niche in those with dormant breast cancer cells. Subsequent stimulation of dormant breast cancer cells in the ex vivo metastatic liver MPS model with IP-10 triggered their emergence in a dose-dependent manner. Emergence was indicated to occur indirectly possibly via activation of the resident liver cells in the surrounding metastatic microenvironment, as stimulation of breast cancer cells with exogenous IP-10 did not significantly change their migratory, invasive or proliferative behavior. The findings reveal that IP-10 is capable of triggering the emergence of dormant breast cancer cells within the liver metastatic niche and identifies the IP-10/CXCR3 as a candidate targetable pathway for rational approaches aimed at maintaining dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Clark
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Haley L. Heusey
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Linda G. Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Douglas. A. Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Alan Wells
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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204
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Busek M, Nøvik S, Aizenshtadt A, Amirola-Martinez M, Combriat T, Grünzner S, Krauss S. Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)-Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) Hybrid Devices for Active Pumping PDMS-Free Organ-on-a-Chip Systems. Biosensors (Basel) 2021; 11:162. [PMID: 34069506 PMCID: PMC8160665 DOI: 10.3390/bios11050162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been used in microfluidic systems for years, as it can be easily structured and its flexibility makes it easy to integrate actuators including pneumatic pumps. In addition, the good optical properties of the material are well suited for analytical systems. In addition to its positive aspects, PDMS is well known to adsorb small molecules, which limits its usability when it comes to drug testing, e.g., in organ-on-a-chip (OoC) systems. Therefore, alternatives to PDMS are in high demand. In this study, we use thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) films thermally bonded to laser-cut poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sheets to build up multilayered microfluidic devices with integrated pneumatic micro-pumps. We present a low-cost manufacturing technology based on a conventional CO2 laser cutter for structuring, a spin-coating process for TPE film fabrication, and a thermal bonding process using a pneumatic hot-press. UV treatment with an Excimer lamp prior to bonding drastically improves the bonding process. Optimized bonding parameters were characterized by measuring the burst load upon applying pressure and via profilometer-based measurement of channel deformation. Next, flow and long-term stability of the chip layout were measured using microparticle Image Velocimetry (uPIV). Finally, human endothelial cells were seeded in the microchannels to check biocompatibility and flow-directed cell alignment. The presented device is compatible with a real-time live-cell analysis system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Busek
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (S.N.); (A.A.); (M.A.-M.); (T.C.); (S.K.)
- Chair of Microsystems, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Steffen Nøvik
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (S.N.); (A.A.); (M.A.-M.); (T.C.); (S.K.)
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1080, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Aleksandra Aizenshtadt
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (S.N.); (A.A.); (M.A.-M.); (T.C.); (S.K.)
| | - Mikel Amirola-Martinez
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (S.N.); (A.A.); (M.A.-M.); (T.C.); (S.K.)
| | - Thomas Combriat
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (S.N.); (A.A.); (M.A.-M.); (T.C.); (S.K.)
- Department of Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Grünzner
- Chair of Microsystems, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (S.N.); (A.A.); (M.A.-M.); (T.C.); (S.K.)
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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205
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Naik S, Wood AR, Ongenaert M, Saidiyan P, Elstak ED, Lanz HL, Stallen J, Janssen R, Smythe E, Erdmann KS. A 3D Renal Proximal Tubule on Chip Model Phenocopies Lowe Syndrome and Dent II Disease Tubulopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5361. [PMID: 34069732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lowe syndrome and Dent II disease are X-linked monogenetic diseases characterised by a renal reabsorption defect in the proximal tubules and caused by mutations in the OCRL gene, which codes for an inositol-5-phosphatase. The life expectancy of patients suffering from Lowe syndrome is largely reduced because of the development of chronic kidney disease and related complications. There is a need for physiological human in vitro models for Lowe syndrome/Dent II disease to study the underpinning disease mechanisms and to identify and characterise potential drugs and drug targets. Here, we describe a proximal tubule organ on chip model combining a 3D tubule architecture with fluid flow shear stress that phenocopies hallmarks of Lowe syndrome/Dent II disease. We demonstrate the high suitability of our in vitro model for drug target validation. Furthermore, using this model, we demonstrate that proximal tubule cells lacking OCRL expression upregulate markers typical for epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), including the transcription factor SNAI2/Slug, and show increased collagen expression and deposition, which potentially contributes to interstitial fibrosis and disease progression as observed in Lowe syndrome and Dent II disease.
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206
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Carvalho V, Gonçalves I, Lage T, Rodrigues RO, Minas G, Teixeira SFCF, Moita AS, Hori T, Kaji H, Lima RA. 3D Printing Techniques and Their Applications to Organ-on-a-Chip Platforms: A Systematic Review. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:3304. [PMID: 34068811 PMCID: PMC8126238 DOI: 10.3390/s21093304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, such as organ-on-a-chip platforms, are an emerging and effective technology that allows the replication of the function of tissues and organs, bridging the gap amid the conventional models based on planar cell cultures or animals and the complex human system. Hence, they have been increasingly used for biomedical research, such as drug discovery and personalized healthcare. A promising strategy for their fabrication is 3D printing, a layer-by-layer fabrication process that allows the construction of complex 3D structures. In contrast, 3D bioprinting, an evolving biofabrication method, focuses on the accurate deposition of hydrogel bioinks loaded with cells to construct tissue-engineered structures. The purpose of the present work is to conduct a systematic review (SR) of the published literature, according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, providing a source of information on the evolution of organ-on-a-chip platforms obtained resorting to 3D printing and bioprinting techniques. In the literature search, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases were used, and two authors independently performed the search, study selection, and data extraction. The goal of this SR is to highlight the importance and advantages of using 3D printing techniques in obtaining organ-on-a-chip platforms, and also to identify potential gaps and future perspectives in this research field. Additionally, challenges in integrating sensors in organs-on-chip platforms are briefly investigated and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Carvalho
- MEtRICs, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
| | - Inês Gonçalves
- MEtRICs, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
| | - Teresa Lage
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (T.L.); (R.O.R.); (G.M.)
| | - Raquel O. Rodrigues
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (T.L.); (R.O.R.); (G.M.)
| | - Graça Minas
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (T.L.); (R.O.R.); (G.M.)
| | | | - Ana S. Moita
- IN+, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;
- CINAMIL, Department of Exact Sciences and Engineering, Portuguese Military Academy, R. Gomes Freire 203, 1169-203 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Takeshi Hori
- Department of Finemechanics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan; (T.H.); (H.K.)
| | - Hirokazu Kaji
- Department of Finemechanics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan; (T.H.); (H.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
| | - Rui A. Lima
- MEtRICs, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
- CEFT, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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207
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Rizki-Safitri A, Traitteur T, Morizane R. Bioengineered Kidney Models: Methods and Functional Assessments. Function (Oxf) 2021; 2:zqab026. [PMID: 35330622 PMCID: PMC8788738 DOI: 10.1093/function/zqab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigations into bioengineering kidneys have been extensively conducted owing to their potential for preclinical assays and regenerative medicine. Various approaches and methods have been developed to improve the structure and function of bioengineered kidneys. Assessments of functional properties confirm the adequacy of bioengineered kidneys for multipurpose translational applications. This review is to summarize the studies performed in kidney bioengineering in the past decade. We identified 84 original articles from PubMed and Mendeley with keywords of kidney organoid or kidney tissue engineering. Those were categorized into 5 groups based on their approach: de-/recellularization of kidney, reaggregation of kidney cells, kidney organoids, kidney in scaffolds, and kidney-on-a-chip. These models were physiologically assessed by filtration, tubular reabsorption/secretion, hormone production, and nephrotoxicity. We found that bioengineered kidney models have been developed from simple cell cultures to multicellular systems to recapitulate kidney function and diseases. Meanwhile, only about 50% of these studies conducted functional assessments on their kidney models. Factors including cell composition and organization are likely to alter the applicability of physiological assessments in bioengineered kidneys. Combined with recent technologies, physiological assessments importantly contribute to the improvement of the bioengineered kidney model toward repairing and refunctioning the damaged kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astia Rizki-Safitri
- Nephrology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tamara Traitteur
- Nephrology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ryuji Morizane
- Nephrology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
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208
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Menezes PD, Gadegaard N, Natal Jorge RM, Pinto SIS. Modelling human liver microphysiology on a chip through a finite element based design approach. Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng 2021; 37:e3445. [PMID: 33522149 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OoaC) are microfluidic devices capable of growing living tissue and replicate the intricate microenvironments of human organs in vitro, being heralded as having the potential to revolutionize biological research and healthcare by providing unprecedented control over fluid flow, relevant tissue to volume ratio, compatibility with high-resolution content screening and a reduced footprint. Finite element modelling is proven to be an efficient approach to simulate the microenvironments of OoaC devices, and may be used to study the existing correlations between geometry and hydrodynamics, towards developing devices of greater accuracy. The present work aims to refine a steady-state gradient generator for the development of a more relevant human liver model. For this purpose, the finite element method was used to simulate the device and predict which design settings, expressed by individual parameters, would better replicate in vitro the oxygen gradients found in vivo within the human liver acinus. To verify the model's predictive capabilities, two distinct examples were replicated from literature. Finite element analysis enabled obtaining an ideal solution, designated as liver gradient-on-a-chip, characterised by a novel way to control gradient generation, from which it was possible to determine concentration values ranging between 3% and 12%, thus providing a precise correlation with in vivo oxygen zonation, comprised between 3%-5% and 10%-12% within respectively the perivenous and periportal zones of the human liver acinus. Shear stress was also determined to average the value of 0.037 Pa, and therefore meet the interval determined from literature to enhance liver tissue culture, comprised between 0.01 - 0.05 Pa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Duarte Menezes
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nikolaj Gadegaard
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, UK
| | - Renato M Natal Jorge
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, LAETA, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia I S Pinto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, LAETA, Porto, Portugal
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209
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Rayner SG, Howard CC, Mandrycky CJ, Stamenkovic S, Himmelfarb J, Shih AY, Zheng Y. Multiphoton-Guided Creation of Complex Organ-Specific Microvasculature. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100031. [PMID: 33586357 PMCID: PMC8137585 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Engineering functional human tissues in vitro is currently limited by difficulty replicating the small caliber, complex connectivity, cellularity, and 3D curvature of the native microvasculature. Multiphoton ablation has emerged as a promising technique for fabrication of microvascular structures with high resolution and full 3D control, but cellularization and perfusion of complex capillary-scale structures has remained challenging. Here, multiphoton ablation combined with guided endothelial cell growth from pre-formed microvessels is used to successfully create perfusable and cellularized organ-specific microvascular structures at anatomic scale within collagen hydrogels. Fabrication and perfusion of model 3D pulmonary and renal microvascular beds is demonstrated, as is replication and perfusion of a brain microvascular unit derived from in vivo data. Successful endothelialization and blood perfusion of a kidney-specific microvascular structure is achieved, using laser-guided angiogenesis. Finally, proof-of-concept hierarchical blood vessels and complex multicellular models are created, using multistep patterning with multiphoton ablation techniques. These successes open new doors for the creation of engineered tissues and organ-on-a-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G. Rayner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Caitlin C. Howard
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Christian J. Mandrycky
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Himmelfarb
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Medicine; Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Kidney Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Andy Y. Shih
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Kidney Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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210
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Ortega MA, Rodríguez-Comas J, Yavas O, Velasco-Mallorquí F, Balaguer-Trias J, Parra V, Novials A, Servitja JM, Quidant R, Ramón-Azcón J. In Situ LSPR Sensing of Secreted Insulin in Organ-on-Chip. Biosensors (Basel) 2021; 11:bios11050138. [PMID: 33924867 PMCID: PMC8144989 DOI: 10.3390/bios11050138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) devices offer new approaches for metabolic disease modeling and drug discovery by providing biologically relevant models of tissues and organs in vitro with a high degree of control over experimental variables for high-content screening applications. Yet, to fully exploit the potential of these platforms, there is a need to interface them with integrated non-labeled sensing modules, capable of monitoring, in situ, their biochemical response to external stimuli, such as stress or drugs. In order to meet this need, we aim here to develop an integrated technology based on coupling a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing module to an OOC device to monitor the insulin in situ secretion in pancreatic islets, a key physiological event that is usually perturbed in metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). As a proof of concept, we developed a biomimetic islet-on-a-chip (IOC) device composed of mouse pancreatic islets hosted in a cellulose-based scaffold as a novel approach. The IOC was interfaced with a state-of-the-art on-chip LSPR sensing platform to monitor the in situ insulin secretion. The developed platform offers a powerful tool to enable the in situ response study of microtissues to external stimuli for applications such as a drug-screening platform for human models, bypassing animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A. Ortega
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac, 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.A.O.); (J.R.-C.); (F.V.-M.); (J.B.-T.); (V.P.)
| | - Júlia Rodríguez-Comas
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac, 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.A.O.); (J.R.-C.); (F.V.-M.); (J.B.-T.); (V.P.)
| | - Ozlem Yavas
- Plasmon Nano-Optics Group, ICFO-Institute for Photonics Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Barcelona, Spain; (O.Y.); (R.Q.)
| | - Ferran Velasco-Mallorquí
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac, 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.A.O.); (J.R.-C.); (F.V.-M.); (J.B.-T.); (V.P.)
| | - Jordina Balaguer-Trias
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac, 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.A.O.); (J.R.-C.); (F.V.-M.); (J.B.-T.); (V.P.)
| | - Victor Parra
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac, 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.A.O.); (J.R.-C.); (F.V.-M.); (J.B.-T.); (V.P.)
| | - Anna Novials
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Laboratory, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.); (J.M.S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas (CIBERDEM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan M. Servitja
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Laboratory, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.); (J.M.S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas (CIBERDEM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Romain Quidant
- Plasmon Nano-Optics Group, ICFO-Institute for Photonics Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Barcelona, Spain; (O.Y.); (R.Q.)
- Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Ramón-Azcón
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac, 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.A.O.); (J.R.-C.); (F.V.-M.); (J.B.-T.); (V.P.)
- ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Baert Y, Ruetschle I, Cools W, Oehme A, Lorenz A, Marx U, Goossens E, Maschmeyer I. A multi-organ-chip co-culture of liver and testis equivalents: a first step toward a systemic male reprotoxicity model. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:1029-1044. [PMID: 32390056 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to co-culture and functionally link human liver and testis equivalents in the combined medium circuit of a multi-organ chip? SUMMARY ANSWER Multi-organ-chip co-cultures of human liver and testis equivalents were maintained at a steady-state for at least 1 week and the co-cultures reproduced specific natural and drug-induced liver-testis systemic interactions. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Current benchtop reprotoxicity models typically do not include hepatic metabolism and interactions of the liver-testis axis. However, these are important to study the biotransformation of substances. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Testicular organoids derived from primary adult testicular cells and liver spheroids consisting of cultured HepaRG cells and hepatic stellate cells were loaded into separate culture compartments of each multi-organ-chip circuit for co-culture in liver spheroid-specific medium, testicular organoid-specific medium or a combined medium over a week. Additional multi-organ-chips (single) and well plates (static) were loaded only with testicular organoids or liver spheroids for comparison. Subsequently, the selected type of medium was supplemented with cyclophosphamide, an alkylating anti-neoplastic prodrug that has demonstrated germ cell toxicity after its bioactivation in the liver, and added to chip-based co-cultures to replicate a human liver-testis systemic interaction in vitro. Single chip-based testicular organoids were used as a control. Experiments were performed with three biological replicates unless otherwise stated. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The metabolic activity was determined as glucose consumption and lactate production. The cell viability was measured as lactate dehydrogenase activity in the medium. Additionally, immunohistochemical and real-time quantitative PCR end-point analyses were performed for apoptosis, proliferation and cell-specific phenotypical and functional markers. The functionality of Sertoli and Leydig cells in testicular spheroids was specifically evaluated by measuring daily inhibin B and testosterone release, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Co-culture in multi-organ chips with liver spheroid-specific medium better supported the metabolic activity of the cultured tissues compared to other media tested. The liver spheroids did not show significantly different behaviour during co-culture compared to that in single culture on multi-organ-chips. The testicular organoids also developed accordingly and produced higher inhibin B but lower testosterone levels than the static culture in plates with testicular organoid-specific medium. By comparison, testosterone secretion by testicular organoids cultured individually on multi-organ-chips reached a similar level as the static culture at Day 7. This suggests that the liver spheroids have metabolised the steroids in the co-cultures, a naturally occurring phenomenon. The addition of cyclophosphamide led to upregulation of specific cytochromes in liver spheroids and loss of germ cells in testicular organoids in the multi-organ-chip co-cultures but not in single-testis culture. LARGE-SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The number of biological replicates included in this study was relatively small due to the limited availability of individual donor testes and the labour-intensive nature of multi-organ-chip co-cultures. Moreover, testicular organoids and liver spheroids are miniaturised organ equivalents that capture key features, but are still simplified versions of the native tissues. Also, it should be noted that only the prodrug cyclophosphamide was administered. The final concentration of the active metabolite was not measured. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This co-culture model responds to the request of setting up a specific tool that enables the testing of candidate reprotoxic substances with the possibility of human biotransformation. It further allows the inclusion of other human tissue equivalents for chemical risk assessment on the systemic level. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by research grants from the Scientific Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (scientific fund Willy Gepts) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Y.B. is a postdoctoral fellow of the FWO. U.M. is founder, shareholder and CEO of TissUse GmbH, Berlin, Germany, a company commercializing the Multi-Organ-Chip platform systems used in the study. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Baert
- Biology of the Testis (BITE) Research Group, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Ruetschle
- TissUse GmbH, Oudenarder Str. 16, 13347 Berlin, Germany
| | - W Cools
- Interfaculty Center Data Processing and Statistics (ICDS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Oehme
- TissUse GmbH, Oudenarder Str. 16, 13347 Berlin, Germany
| | - A Lorenz
- TissUse GmbH, Oudenarder Str. 16, 13347 Berlin, Germany
| | - U Marx
- TissUse GmbH, Oudenarder Str. 16, 13347 Berlin, Germany
| | - E Goossens
- Biology of the Testis (BITE) Research Group, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Maschmeyer
- TissUse GmbH, Oudenarder Str. 16, 13347 Berlin, Germany
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212
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Ustun M, Rahmani Dabbagh S, Ilci IS, Bagci-Onder T, Tasoglu S. Glioma-on-a-Chip Models. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:490. [PMID: 33926127 PMCID: PMC8145995 DOI: 10.3390/mi12050490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Glioma, as an aggressive type of cancer, accounts for virtually 80% of malignant brain tumors. Despite advances in therapeutic approaches, the long-term survival of glioma patients is poor (it is usually fatal within 12-14 months). Glioma-on-chip platforms, with continuous perfusion, mimic in vivo metabolic functions of cancer cells for analytical purposes. This offers an unprecedented opportunity for understanding the underlying reasons that arise glioma, determining the most effective radiotherapy approach, testing different drug combinations, and screening conceivable side effects of drugs on other organs. Glioma-on-chip technologies can ultimately enhance the efficacy of treatments, promote the survival rate of patients, and pave a path for personalized medicine. In this perspective paper, we briefly review the latest developments of glioma-on-chip technologies, such as therapy applications, drug screening, and cell behavior studies, and discuss the current challenges as well as future research directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Ustun
- Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Irem Sultan Ilci
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Brain Cancer Research and Therapy Lab, Koç University School of Medicine, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Savas Tasoglu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Bogazici University, Bebek, 34342 Istanbul, Turkey
- Boğaziçi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Çengelköy, 34684 Istanbul, Turkey
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213
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Kim S, Ko J, Lee SR, Park D, Park S, Jeon NL. Anchor-IMPACT: A standardized microfluidic platform for high-throughput antiangiogenic drug screening. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:2524-2535. [PMID: 33764506 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In vitro models are becoming more advanced to truly present physiological systems while enabling high-throughput screening and analysis. Organ-on-a-chip devices provide remarkable results through the reconstruction of a three-dimensional (3D) cellular microenvironment although they need to be further developed in terms of multiple liquid patterning principle, material properties, and scalability. Here we present a 3D anchor-based microfluidic injection-molded plastic array culture platform (Anchor-IMPACT) that enables selective, space-intensive patterning of hydrogels using anchor-island for high-throughput angiogenesis evaluation model. Anchor-IMPACT consists of a central channel and an anchor-island, integrating the array into an abbreviated 96-well plate format with a standard microscope slide size. The anchor-island enables selective 3D cell patterning without channel-to-channel contact or any hydrogel injection port using an anchor structure unlike conventional culture compartment. The hydrogel was patterned into defined regions by spontaneous capillary flow under hydrophilic conditions. We configured multiple cell patterning structures to investigate the angiogenic potency of colorectal cancer cells in Anchor-IMPACT and the morphological properties of the angiogenesis induced by the paracrine effect were evaluated. In addition, the efficacy of anticancer drugs against angiogenic sprouts was verified by following dose-dependent responses. Our results indicate that Anchor-IMPACT offers not only a model of high-throughput experimentation but also an advanced 3D cell culture platform and can significantly improve current in vitro models while providing the basis for developing predictive preclinical models for biopharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryong Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Ko
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ryeol Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyun Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyuk Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Noo Li Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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214
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Tronolone JJ, Jain A. Engineering new microvascular networks on-chip: ingredients, assembly, and best practices. Adv Funct Mater 2021; 31:2007199. [PMID: 33994903 PMCID: PMC8114943 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202007199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineered grafts show great potential as regenerative implants for diseased or injured tissues within the human body. However, these grafts suffer from poor nutrient perfusion and waste transport, thus decreasing their viability post-transplantation. Graft vascularization is therefore a major area of focus within tissue engineering because biologically relevant conduits for nutrient and oxygen perfusion can improve viability post-implantation. Many researchers utilize microphysiological systems as testing platforms for potential grafts due to an ability to integrate vascular networks as well as biological characteristics such as fluid perfusion, 3D architecture, compartmentalization of tissue-specific materials, and biophysical and biochemical cues. While many methods of vascularizing these systems exist, microvascular self-assembly has great potential for bench-to-clinic translation as it relies on naturally occurring physiological events. In this review, we highlight the past decade of literature and critically discuss the most important and tunable components yielding a self-assembled vascular network on chip: endothelial cell source, tissue-specific supporting cells, biomaterial scaffolds, biochemical cues, and biophysical forces. This article discusses the bioengineered systems of angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis, and includes a brief overview of multicellular systems. We conclude with future avenues of research to guide the next generation of vascularized microfluidic models and future tissue engineered grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Tronolone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77808, USA
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215
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Boeri L, Perottoni S, Izzo L, Giordano C, Albani D. Microbiota-Host Immunity Communication in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Bioengineering Challenges for In Vitro Modeling. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002043. [PMID: 33661580 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human microbiota communicates with its host by secreting signaling metabolites, enzymes, or structural components. Its homeostasis strongly influences the modulation of human tissue barriers and immune system. Dysbiosis-induced peripheral immunity response can propagate bacterial and pro-inflammatory signals to the whole body, including the brain. This immune-mediated communication may contribute to several neurodegenerative disorders, as Alzheimer's disease. In fact, neurodegeneration is associated with dysbiosis and neuroinflammation. The interplay between the microbial communities and the brain is complex and bidirectional, and a great deal of interest is emerging to define the exact mechanisms. This review focuses on microbiota-immunity-central nervous system (CNS) communication and shows how gut and oral microbiota populations trigger immune cells, propagating inflammation from the periphery to the cerebral parenchyma, thus contributing to the onset and progression of neurodegeneration. Moreover, an overview of the technological challenges with in vitro modeling of the microbiota-immunity-CNS axis, offering interesting technological hints about the most advanced solutions and current technologies is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Boeri
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 Milan 20133 Italy
| | - Simone Perottoni
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 Milan 20133 Italy
| | - Luca Izzo
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 Milan 20133 Italy
| | - Carmen Giordano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 Milan 20133 Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Department of Neuroscience Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS via Mario Negri 2 Milan 20156 Italy
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216
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Tantengco OAG, Richardson LS, Medina PMB, Han A, Menon R. Organ-on-chip of the cervical epithelial layer: A platform to study normal and pathological cellular remodeling of the cervix. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21463. [PMID: 33689188 PMCID: PMC8193817 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002590rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Damage to the cervical epithelial layer due to infection and inflammation is associated with preterm birth. However, the individual and/or collective roles of cervical epithelial layers in maintaining cervical integrity remain unclear during infection/inflammation. To determine the intercellular interactions, we developed an organ-on-chip of the cervical epithelial layer (CE-OOC) composed of two co-culture chambers connected by microchannels, recapitulating the ectocervical and endocervical epithelial layers. Further, we tested the interactions between cells from each distinct region and their contributions in maintaining cervical integrity in response to LPS and TNFα stimulations. The co-culture of ectocervical and endocervical cells facilitated cellular migration of both epithelial cells inside the microchannels. Compared to untreated controls, both LPS and TNFα increased apoptosis, necrosis, and senescence as well as increased pro-inflammatory cytokine productions by cervical epithelial cells. In summary, the CE-OOC established an in vitro model that can recapitulate the ectocervical and the endocervical epithelial regions of the cervix. The established CE-OOC may become a powerful tool in obstetrics and gynecology research such as in studying cervical remodeling during pregnancy and parturition and the dynamics of cervical epithelial cells in benign and malignant pathology in the cervix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Lauren S. Richardson
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Paul Mark B. Medina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
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217
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Sun M, Han K, Hu R, Liu D, Fu W, Liu W. Advances in Micro/Nanoporous Membranes for Biomedical Engineering. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001545. [PMID: 33511718 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Porous membrane materials at the micro/nanoscale have exhibited practical and potential value for extensive biological and medical applications associated with filtration and isolation, cell separation and sorting, micro-arrangement, in-vitro tissue reconstruction, high-throughput manipulation and analysis, and real-time sensing. Herein, an overview of technological development of micro/nanoporous membranes (M/N-PMs) is provided. Various membrane types and the progress documented in membrane fabrication techniques, including the electrochemical-etching, laser-based technology, microcontact printing, electron beam lithography, imprinting, capillary force lithography, spin coating, and microfluidic molding are described. Their key features, achievements, and limitations associated with micro/nanoporous membrane (M/N-PM) preparation are discussed. The recently popularized applications of M/N-PMs in biomedical engineering involving the separation of cells and biomolecules, bioparticle operations, biomimicking, micropatterning, bioassay, and biosensing are explored too. Finally, the challenges that need to be overcome for M/N-PM fabrication and future applications are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Sun
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Kai Han
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Rui Hu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Wenzhu Fu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Wenming Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
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218
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Abstract
Recreating human organ-level function in vitro is a rapidly evolving field that integrates tissue engineering, stem cell biology, and microfluidic technology to produce 3D organoids. A critical component of all organs is the vasculature. Herein, we discuss general strategies to create vascularized organoids, including common source materials, and survey previous work using vascularized organoids to recreate specific organ functions and simulate tumor progression. Vascularization is not only an essential component of individual organ function but also responsible for coupling the fate of all organs and their functions. While some success in coupling two or more organs together on a single platform has been demonstrated, we argue that the future of vascularized organoid technology lies in creating organoid systems complete with tissue-specific microvasculature and in coupling multiple organs through a dynamic vascular network to create systems that can respond to changing physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venktesh S Shirure
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA;
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Steven C George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA;
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219
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Kreutzer FP, Meinecke A, Schmidt K, Fiedler J, Thum T. Alternative strategies in cardiac preclinical research and new clinical trial formats. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:746-762. [PMID: 33693475 PMCID: PMC7989574 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An efficient and safe drug development process is crucial for the establishment of new drugs on the market aiming to increase quality of life and life-span of our patients. Despite technological advances in the past decade, successful launches of drug candidates per year remain low. We here give an overview about some of these advances and suggest improvements for implementation to boost preclinical and clinical drug development with a focus on the cardiovascular field. We highlight advantages and disadvantages of animal experimentation and thoroughly review alternatives in the field of three-dimensional cell culture as well as preclinical use of spheroids and organoids. Microfluidic devices and their potential as organ-on-a-chip systems, as well as the use of living animal and human cardiac tissues are additionally introduced. In the second part, we examine recent gold standard randomized clinical trials and present possible modifications to increase lead candidate throughput: adaptive designs, master protocols, and drug repurposing. In silico and N-of-1 trials have the potential to redefine clinical drug candidate evaluation. Finally, we briefly discuss clinical trial designs during pandemic times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Philipp Kreutzer
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Meinecke
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kevin Schmidt
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Fiedler
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Hannover, Germany
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220
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Zamprogno P, Thoma G, Cencen V, Ferrari D, Putz B, Michler J, Fantner GE, Guenat OT. Mechanical Properties of Soft Biological Membranes for Organ-on-a-Chip Assessed by Bulge Test and AFM. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:2990-2997. [PMID: 33651947 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Advanced in vitro models called "organ-on-a-chip" can mimic the specific cellular environment found in various tissues. Many of these models include a thin, sometimes flexible, membrane aimed at mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold of in vivo barriers. These membranes are often made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a silicone rubber that poorly mimics the chemical and physical properties of the basal membrane. However, the ECM and its mechanical properties play a key role in the homeostasis of a tissue. Here, we report about biological membranes with a composition and mechanical properties similar to those found in vivo. Two types of collagen-elastin (CE) membranes were produced: vitrified and nonvitrified (called "hydrogel membrane"). Their mechanical properties were characterized using the bulge test method. The results were compared using atomic force microscopy (AFM), a standard technique used to evaluate the Young's modulus of soft materials at the nanoscale. Our results show that CE membranes with stiffnesses ranging from several hundred of kPa down to 1 kPa can be produced by tuning the CE ratio, the production mode (vitrified or not), and/or certain parameters such as temperature. The Young's modulus can easily be determined using the bulge test. This method is a robust and reproducible to determine membrane stiffness, even for soft membranes, which are more difficult to assess by AFM. Assessment of the impact of substrate stiffness on the spread of human fibroblasts on these surfaces showed that cell spread is lower on softer surfaces than on stiffer surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Zamprogno
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Giuditta Thoma
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Veronika Cencen
- Laboratory for Bio- and Nano- Instrumentation, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Dario Ferrari
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Putz
- Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Thun 3602, Switzerland
| | - Johann Michler
- Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Thun 3602, Switzerland
| | - Georg E Fantner
- Laboratory for Bio- and Nano- Instrumentation, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Olivier T Guenat
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland.,Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland.,Department of General Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
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221
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De Chiara F, Ferret-Miñana A, Ramón-Azcón J. The Synergy between Organ-on-a-Chip and Artificial Intelligence for the Study of NAFLD: From Basic Science to Clinical Research. Biomedicines 2021; 9:248. [PMID: 33801289 PMCID: PMC7999375 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9030248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver affects about 25% of global adult population. On the long-term, it is associated with extra-hepatic compliances, multiorgan failure, and death. Various invasive and non-invasive methods are employed for its diagnosis such as liver biopsies, CT scan, MRI, and numerous scoring systems. However, the lack of accuracy and reproducibility represents one of the biggest limitations of evaluating the effectiveness of drug candidates in clinical trials. Organ-on-chips (OOC) are emerging as a cost-effective tool to reproduce in vitro the main NAFLD's pathogenic features for drug screening purposes. Those platforms have reached a high degree of complexity that generate an unprecedented amount of both structured and unstructured data that outpaced our capacity to analyze the results. The addition of artificial intelligence (AI) layer for data analysis and interpretation enables those platforms to reach their full potential. Furthermore, the use of them do not require any ethic and legal regulation. In this review, we discuss the synergy between OOC and AI as one of the most promising ways to unveil potential therapeutic targets as well as the complex mechanism(s) underlying NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco De Chiara
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac 10–12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.F.-M.); (J.R.-A.)
| | - Ainhoa Ferret-Miñana
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac 10–12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.F.-M.); (J.R.-A.)
| | - Javier Ramón-Azcón
- Biosensors for Bioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri I Reixac 10–12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.F.-M.); (J.R.-A.)
- ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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222
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Arık YB, de Sa Vivas A, Laarveld D, van Laar N, Gemser J, Visscher T, van den Berg A, Passier R, van der Meer AD. Collagen I Based Enzymatically Degradable Membranes for Organ-on-a-Chip Barrier Models. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:2998-3005. [PMID: 33625834 PMCID: PMC8278385 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Organs-on-chips are microphysiological in vitro models of human organs and tissues that rely on culturing cells in a well-controlled microenvironment that has been engineered to include key physical and biochemical parameters. Some systems contain a single perfused microfluidic channel or a patterned hydrogel, whereas more complex devices typically employ two or more microchannels that are separated by a porous membrane, simulating the tissue interface found in many organ subunits. The membranes are typically made of synthetic and biologically inert materials that are then coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules to enhance cell attachment. However, the majority of the material remains foreign and fails to recapitulate the native microenvironment of the barrier tissue. Here, we study microfluidic devices that integrate a vitrified membrane made of collagen-I hydrogel (VC). The biocompatibility of this membrane was confirmed by growing a healthy population of stem cell derived endothelial cells (iPSC-EC) and immortalized retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) on it and assessing morphology by fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, VC membranes were subjected to biochemical degradation using collagenase II. The effects of this biochemical degradation were characterized by the permeability changes to fluorescein. Topographical changes on the VC membrane after enzymatic degradation were also analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Altogether, we present a dynamically bioresponsive membrane integrated in an organ-on-chip device with which disease-related ECM remodeling can be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf B Arık
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands.,BIOS Lab on a Chip group, Technical Medical Centre, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Aisen de Sa Vivas
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands.,BIOS Lab on a Chip group, Technical Medical Centre, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne Laarveld
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Neri van Laar
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Jesse Gemser
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Visscher
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab on a Chip group, Technical Medical Centre, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Andries D van der Meer
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
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223
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Hwang SH, Lee S, Park JY, Jeon JS, Cho YJ, Kim S. Potential of Drug Efficacy Evaluation in Lung and Kidney Cancer Models Using Organ-on-a-Chip Technology. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:215. [PMID: 33669950 PMCID: PMC7924856 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) is an exponential technology with the potential to revolutionize disease, toxicology research, and drug discovery. Recent advances in OoC could be utilized for drug screening in disease models to evaluate the efficacy of new therapies and support new tools for the understanding of disease mechanisms. Rigorous validation of this technology is required to determine whether OoC models may represent human-relevant physiology and predict clinical outcomes in target disease models. Achievements in the OoC field could reveal exciting new avenues for drug development and discovery. This review attempts to highlight the benefits of OoC as per our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways in lung and kidney cancer models, and discusses the challenges in evaluating drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Hye Hwang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (Y.-J.C.)
| | - Sangchul Lee
- Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | - Jee Yoon Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | | | - Young-Jae Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (Y.-J.C.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Sejoong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (Y.-J.C.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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224
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Niculescu AG, Chircov C, Bîrcă AC, Grumezescu AM. Fabrication and Applications of Microfluidic Devices: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2011. [PMID: 33670545 PMCID: PMC7921936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is a relatively newly emerged field based on the combined principles of physics, chemistry, biology, fluid dynamics, microelectronics, and material science. Various materials can be processed into miniaturized chips containing channels and chambers in the microscale range. A diverse repertoire of methods can be chosen to manufacture such platforms of desired size, shape, and geometry. Whether they are used alone or in combination with other devices, microfluidic chips can be employed in nanoparticle preparation, drug encapsulation, delivery, and targeting, cell analysis, diagnosis, and cell culture. This paper presents microfluidic technology in terms of the available platform materials and fabrication techniques, also focusing on the biomedical applications of these remarkable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu
- Faculty of Engineering in Foreign Languages, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Cristina Chircov
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (A.C.B.)
| | - Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (A.C.B.)
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest—ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
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225
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Ahn SI, Kim Y. Human Blood-Brain Barrier on a Chip: Featuring Unique Multicellular Cooperation in Pathophysiology. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:749-752. [PMID: 33602608 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Advances in stem cell engineering have opened new avenues for more accurately developing in vitro models of the human blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we highlight state-of-the-art human BBB-on-a-chip technologies and discuss the importance of human brain cells for better modeling the human brain pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ih Ahn
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Mepsgenlab Inc., Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
| | - YongTae Kim
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Mepsgenlab Inc., Atlanta, GA 30309, USA; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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226
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Peelen DM, Hoogduijn MJ, Hesselink DA, Baan CC. Advanced in vitro Research Models to Study the Role of Endothelial Cells in Solid Organ Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:607953. [PMID: 33664744 PMCID: PMC7921837 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.607953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelium plays a key role in acute and chronic rejection of solid organ transplants. During both processes the endothelium is damaged often with major consequences for organ function. Also, endothelial cells (EC) have antigen-presenting properties and can in this manner initiate and enhance alloreactive immune responses. For decades, knowledge about these roles of EC have been obtained by studying both in vitro and in vivo models. These experimental models poorly imitate the immune response in patients and might explain why the discovery and development of agents that control EC responses is hampered. In recent years, various innovative human 3D in vitro models mimicking in vivo organ structure and function have been developed. These models will extend the knowledge about the diverse roles of EC in allograft rejection and will hopefully lead to discoveries of new targets that are involved in the interactions between the donor organ EC and the recipient's immune system. Moreover, these models can be used to gain a better insight in the mode of action of the currently prescribed immunosuppression and will enhance the development of novel therapeutics aiming to reduce allograft rejection and prolong graft survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne M Peelen
- Rotterdam Transplant Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martin J Hoogduijn
- Rotterdam Transplant Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dennis A Hesselink
- Rotterdam Transplant Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Carla C Baan
- Rotterdam Transplant Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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227
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Sharma S, Venzac B, Burgers T, Le Gac S, Schlatt S. Microfluidics in male reproduction: is ex vivo culture of primate testis tissue a future strategy for ART or toxicology research? Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:179-192. [PMID: 31977028 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The significant rise in male infertility disorders over the years has led to extensive research efforts to recapitulate the process of male gametogenesis in vitro and to identify essential mechanisms involved in spermatogenesis, notably for clinical applications. A promising technology to bridge this research gap is organ-on-chip (OoC) technology, which has gradually transformed the research landscape in ART and offers new opportunities to develop advanced in vitro culture systems. With exquisite control on a cell or tissue microenvironment, customized organ-specific structures can be fabricated in in vitro OoC platforms, which can also simulate the effect of in vivo vascularization. Dynamic cultures using microfluidic devices enable us to create stimulatory effect and non-stimulatory culture conditions. Noteworthy is that recent studies demonstrated the potential of continuous perfusion in OoC systems using ex vivo mouse testis tissues. Here we review the existing literature and potential applications of such OoC systems for male reproduction in combination with novel bio-engineering and analytical tools. We first introduce OoC technology and highlight the opportunities offered in reproductive biology in general. In the subsequent section, we discuss the complex structural and functional organization of the testis and the role of the vasculature-associated testicular niche and fluid dynamics in modulating testis function. Next, we review significant technological breakthroughs in achieving in vitro spermatogenesis in various species and discuss the evidence from microfluidics-based testes culture studies in mouse. Lastly, we discuss a roadmap for the potential applications of the proposed testis-on-chip culture system in the field of primate male infertility, ART and reproductive toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sharma
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bastien Venzac
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Burgers
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Séverine Le Gac
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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228
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Picollet-D'hahan N, Zuchowska A, Lemeunier I, Le Gac S. Multi organ-on-a-Chip: A Systemic Approach To Model and Decipher Inter-Organ Communication. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:788-810. [PMID: 33541718 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multiorgan-on-a-chip (multi-OoC) platforms have great potential to redefine the way in which human health research is conducted. After briefly reviewing the need for comprehensive multiorgan models with a systemic dimension, we highlight scenarios in which multiorgan models are advantageous. We next overview existing multi-OoC platforms, including integrated body-on-a-chip devices and modular approaches involving interconnected organ-specific modules. We highlight how multi-OoC models can provide unique information that is not accessible using single-OoC models. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges for the realization of multi-OoC platforms and their worldwide adoption. We anticipate that multi-OoC technology will metamorphose research in biology and medicine by providing holistic and personalized models for understanding and treating multisystem diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Picollet-D'hahan
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble (IRIG) Biomicrotechnology and Functional Genomics (BIOMICS), Grenoble, France.
| | - Agnieszka Zuchowska
- Applied Microfluidics for Bioengineering Research (AMBER), MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Lemeunier
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble (IRIG) Biomicrotechnology and Functional Genomics (BIOMICS), Grenoble, France
| | - Séverine Le Gac
- Applied Microfluidics for Bioengineering Research (AMBER), MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
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229
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Abstract
Research in cell biology greatly relies on cell-based in vitro assays and models that facilitate the investigation and understanding of specific biological events and processes under different conditions. The quality of such experimental models and particularly the level at which they represent cell behavior in the native tissue, is of critical importance for our understanding of cell interactions within tissues and organs. Conventionally, in vitro models are based on experimental manipulation of mammalian cells, grown as monolayers on flat, two-dimensional (2D) substrates. Despite the amazing progress and discoveries achieved with flat biology models, our ability to translate biological insights has been limited, since the 2D environment does not reflect the physiological behavior of cells in real tissues. Advances in 3D cell biology and engineering have led to the development of a new generation of cell culture formats that can better recapitulate the in vivo microenvironment, allowing us to examine cells and their interactions in a more biomimetic context. Modern biomedical research has at its disposal novel technological approaches that promote development of more sophisticated and robust tissue engineering in vitro models, including scaffold- or hydrogel-based formats, organotypic cultures, and organs-on-chips. Even though such systems are necessarily simplified to capture a particular range of physiology, their ability to model specific processes of human biology is greatly valued for their potential to close the gap between conventional animal studies and human (patho-) physiology. Here, we review recent advances in 3D biomimetic cultures, focusing on the technological bricks available to develop more physiologically relevant in vitro models of human tissues. By highlighting applications and examples of several physiological and disease models, we identify the limitations and challenges which the field needs to address in order to more effectively incorporate synthetic biomimetic culture platforms into biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Róisín Meabh Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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230
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Donoghue L, Nguyen KT, Graham C, Sethu P. Tissue Chips and Microphysiological Systems for Disease Modeling and Drug Testing. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:139. [PMID: 33525451 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tissue chips (TCs) and microphysiological systems (MPSs) that incorporate human cells are novel platforms to model disease and screen drugs and provide an alternative to traditional animal studies. This review highlights the basic definitions of TCs and MPSs, examines four major organs/tissues, identifies critical parameters for organization and function (tissue organization, blood flow, and physical stresses), reviews current microfluidic approaches to recreate tissues, and discusses current shortcomings and future directions for the development and application of these technologies. The organs emphasized are those involved in the metabolism or excretion of drugs (hepatic and renal systems) and organs sensitive to drug toxicity (cardiovascular system). This article examines the microfluidic/microfabrication approaches for each organ individually and identifies specific examples of TCs. This review will provide an excellent starting point for understanding, designing, and constructing novel TCs for possible integration within MPS.
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231
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Dabaghi M, Shahriari S, Saraei N, Da K, Chandiramohan A, Selvaganapathy PR, Hirota JA. Surface Modification of PDMS-Based Microfluidic Devices with Collagen Using Polydopamine as a Spacer to Enhance Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell Adhesion. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:mi12020132. [PMID: 33530564 PMCID: PMC7911361 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a silicone-based synthetic material used in various biomedical applications due to its properties, including transparency, flexibility, permeability to gases, and ease of use. Though PDMS facilitates and assists the fabrication of complicated geometries at micro- and nano-scales, it does not optimally interact with cells for adherence and proliferation. Various strategies have been proposed to render PDMS to enhance cell attachment. The majority of these surface modification techniques have been offered for a static cell culture system. However, dynamic cell culture systems such as organ-on-a-chip devices are demanding platforms that recapitulate a living tissue microenvironment's complexity. In organ-on-a-chip platforms, PDMS surfaces are usually coated by extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which occur as a result of a physical and weak bonding between PDMS and ECM proteins, and this binding can be degraded when it is exposed to shear stresses. This work reports static and dynamic coating methods to covalently bind collagen within a PDMS-based microfluidic device using polydopamine (PDA). These coating methods were evaluated using water contact angle measurement and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to optimize coating conditions. The biocompatibility of collagen-coated PDMS devices was assessed by culturing primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in microfluidic devices. It was shown that both PDA coating methods could be used to bind collagen, thereby improving cell adhesion (approximately three times higher) without showing any discernible difference in cell attachment between these two methods. These results suggested that such a surface modification can help coat extracellular matrix protein onto PDMS-based microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadhossein Dabaghi
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health–Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (M.D.); (N.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Shadi Shahriari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada; (S.S.); (P.R.S.)
| | - Neda Saraei
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health–Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (M.D.); (N.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Kevin Da
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada;
| | - Abiram Chandiramohan
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health–Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (M.D.); (N.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Ponnambalam Ravi Selvaganapathy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada; (S.S.); (P.R.S.)
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jeremy A. Hirota
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health–Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada; (M.D.); (N.S.); (A.C.)
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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232
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Bassi G, Grimaudo MA, Panseri S, Montesi M. Advanced Multi-Dimensional Cellular Models as Emerging Reality to Reproduce In Vitro the Human Body Complexity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1195. [PMID: 33530487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A hot topic in biomedical science is the implementation of more predictive in vitro models of human tissues to significantly improve the knowledge of physiological or pathological process, drugs discovery and screening. Bidimensional (2D) culture systems still represent good high-throughput options for basic research. Unfortunately, these systems are not able to recapitulate the in vivo three-dimensional (3D) environment of native tissues, resulting in a poor in vitro–in vivo translation. In addition, intra-species differences limited the use of animal data for predicting human responses, increasing in vivo preclinical failures and ethical concerns. Dealing with these challenges, in vitro 3D technological approaches were recently bioengineered as promising platforms able to closely capture the complexity of in vivo normal/pathological tissues. Potentially, such systems could resemble tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM), cell–cell and cell–ECM interactions and specific cell biological responses to mechanical and physical/chemical properties of the matrix. In this context, this review presents the state of the art of the most advanced progresses of the last years. A special attention to the emerging technologies for the development of human 3D disease-relevant and physiological models, varying from cell self-assembly (i.e., multicellular spheroids and organoids) to the use of biomaterials and microfluidic devices has been given.
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de Jongh R, Spijkers XM, Pasteuning-Vuhman S, Vulto P, Pasterkamp RJ. Neuromuscular junction-on-a-chip: ALS disease modeling and read-out development in microfluidic devices. J Neurochem 2021; 157:393-412. [PMID: 33382092 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons with no cure available. Clinical and animal studies reveal that the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a synaptic connection between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, is highly vulnerable in ALS and suggest that NMJ defects may occur at the early stages of the disease. However, mechanistic insight into how NMJ dysfunction relates to the onset and progression of ALS is incomplete, which hampers therapy development. This is, in part, caused by a lack of robust in vitro models. The ability to combine microfluidic and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies has opened up new avenues for studying molecular and cellular ALS phenotypes in vitro. Microfluidic devices offer several advantages over traditional culture approaches when modeling the NMJ, such as the spatial separation of different cell types and increased control over the cellular microenvironment. Moreover, they are compatible with 3D cell culture, which enhances NMJ functionality and maturity. Here, we review how microfluidic technology is currently being employed to develop more reliable in vitro NMJ models. To validate and phenotype such models, various morphological and functional read-outs have been developed. We describe and discuss the relevance of these read-outs and specifically illustrate how these read-outs have enhanced our understanding of NMJ pathology in ALS. Finally, we share our view on potential future directions and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne de Jongh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xandor M Spijkers
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Mimetas B.V., Organ-on-a-chip Company, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Svetlana Pasteuning-Vuhman
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Vulto
- Mimetas B.V., Organ-on-a-chip Company, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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234
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Ejiugwo M, Rochev Y, Gethin G, O'Connor G. Toward Developing Immunocompetent Diabetic Foot Ulcer-on-a-Chip Models for Drug Testing. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:77-88. [PMID: 33406980 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioengineering of skin has been significantly explored, ranging from the use of traditional cell culture systems to the most recent organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology that permits skin modeling on physiological scales among other benefits. This article presents key considerations for developing physiologically relevant immunocompetent diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) models. Diabetic foot ulceration affects hundreds of millions of individuals globally, especially the elderly, and constitutes a major socioeconomic burden. When DFUs are not treated and managed in a timely manner, 15-50% of patients tend to undergo partial or complete amputation of the affected limb. Consequently, at least 40% of such patients die within 5 years postamputation. Currently, therapeutic strategies are actively sought and developed. However, present-day preclinical platforms (animals and in vitro models) are not robust enough to provide reliable data for clinical trials. Insights from published works on immunocompetent skin-on-a-chip models and bioengineering considerations, presented in this article, can inform researchers on how to develop robust OoC models for testing topical therapies such as growth factor-based therapies for DFUs. We propose that immunocompetent DFU-on-a-chip models should be bioengineered using diseased cells derived from individuals; in particular, the pathophysiological contribution of macrophages in diabetic wound healing, along with the typical fibroblasts and keratinocytes, needs to be recapitulated. The ideal model should consist of the following components: diseased cells embedded in reproducible scaffolds, which permit endogenous "diseased" extracellular matrix deposition, and the integration of the derived immunocompetent DFU model onto a microfluidic platform. The proposed DFU platforms will eventually facilitate reliable and robust drug testing of wound healing therapeutics, coupled with reduced clinical trial failure rates. Impact statement Current animal and cell-based systems are not physiologically relevant enough to retrieve reliable results for clinical translation of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) therapies. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology offers desirable features that could finally enable the vision of modeling DFU for pathophysiological studies and drug testing at a microscale. This article brings together the significant recent findings relevant to developing a minimally functional immunocompetent DFU-on-a-chip model, as wound healing cannot occur without a proper functioning immune response. It looks feasible in the future to recapitulate the stagnant inflammation in DFU (thought to impede wound healing) using OoC, diseased cells, and an endogenously produced extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Ejiugwo
- SFI CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland.,School of Physics, and National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland
| | - Yury Rochev
- SFI CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland.,School of Physics, and National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland
| | - Georgina Gethin
- SFI CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland
| | - Gerard O'Connor
- SFI CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland.,School of Physics, and National University of Ireland Galway, Galway City, Ireland
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235
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Jeon JW, Lee SH, Kim D, Sung JH. In vitro hepatic steatosis model based on gut-liver-on-a-chip. Biotechnol Prog 2021; 37:e3121. [PMID: 33393209 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease, occurs due to abnormal lipid accumulation in the liver. It has been known that gut absorption also plays an important role in the mechanism underlying hepatic steatosis. Conventional in vitro cell culture models have limitations in recapitulating the mechanisms of hepatic steatosis because it does not include the gut absorption process. Previously, we reported development of a microfluidic gut-liver chip that can recapitulate the gut absorption of fatty acids and subsequent lipid accumulation in liver cells. In this study, we performed a series of experiments to verify that our gut-liver chip reproduces various aspects of hepatic steatosis. The absorption of fatty acids was evaluated under various culture conditions. The anti-steatotic effect of turofexorate isopropyl (XL-335) and metformin was tested, and both drugs showed different action mechanisms. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by lipid absorption was evaluated. Our results demonstrate the potential of the gut-liver chip for use as a novel, physiologically realistic in vitro model to study fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joong-Won Jeon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Lee
- Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyun Kim
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hwan Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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236
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Peng B, Tong Z, Tong WY, Pasic PJ, Oddo A, Dai Y, Luo M, Frescene J, Welch NG, Easton CD, Thissen H, Voelcker NH. In Situ Surface Modification of Microfluidic Blood-Brain-Barriers for Improved Screening of Small Molecules and Nanoparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:56753-56766. [PMID: 33226228 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c17102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Here, we have developed and evaluated a microfluidic-based human blood-brain-barrier (μBBB) platform that models and predicts brain tissue uptake of small molecule drugs and nanoparticles (NPs) targeting the central nervous system. By using a photocrosslinkable copolymer that was prepared from monomers containing benzophenone and N-hydroxysuccinimide ester functional groups, we were able to evenly coat and functionalize μBBB chip channels in situ, providing a covalently attached homogenous layer of extracellular matrix proteins. This novel approach allowed the coculture of human endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes and resulted in the formation of a mimic of cerebral endothelium expressing tight junction markers and efflux proteins, resembling the native BBB. The permeability coefficients of a number of compounds, including caffeine, nitrofurantoin, dextran, sucrose, glucose, and alanine, were measured on our μBBB platform and were found to agree with reported values. In addition, we successfully visualized the receptor-mediated uptake and transcytosis of transferrin-functionalized NPs. The BBB-penetrating NPs were able to target glioma cells cultured in 3D in the brain compartment of our μBBB. In conclusion, our μBBB was able to accurately predict the BBB permeability of both small molecule pharmaceuticals and nanovectors and allowed time-resolved visualization of transcytosis. Our versatile chip design accommodates different brain disease models and is expected to be exploited in further BBB studies, aiming at replacing animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Peng
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Ziqiu Tong
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Wing Yin Tong
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Paul J Pasic
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Arianna Oddo
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Yitian Dai
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Meihua Luo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Juliette Frescene
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Nicholas G Welch
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Christopher D Easton
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Helmut Thissen
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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237
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Nikolakopoulou P, Rauti R, Voulgaris D, Shlomy I, Maoz BM, Herland A. Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system. Brain 2020; 143:3181-3213. [PMID: 33020798 PMCID: PMC7719033 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. 'organ-on-a-chip' systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Iftach Shlomy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Herland
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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238
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Rajeeva Pandian NK, Walther BK, Suresh R, Cooke JP, Jain A. Microengineered Human Vein-Chip Recreates Venous Valve Architecture and Its Contribution to Thrombosis. Small 2020; 16:e2003401. [PMID: 33205630 PMCID: PMC7791597 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202003401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its consequences are lethal, but current models cannot completely dissect its determinants-endothelium, flow, and blood constituents-together called Virchow's triad. Most models for studying DVT forego assessment of venous valves that serve as the primary sites of DVT formation. Therefore, the knowledge of DVT formed at the venous cusps has remained obscure due to lack of experimental models. Here, organ-on-chip methodology is leveraged to create a Vein-Chip platform integrating fully vascularized venous valves and its hemodynamic, as seen in vivo. These Vein-Chips reveal that vascular endothelium of valve cusps adapts to the locally disturbed microenvironment by expressing a different phenotype from the regions of uniform flow. This spatial adaptation of endothelial function recreated on the in vitro Vein-Chip platform is shown to protect the vein from thrombosis from disturbed flow in valves, but interestingly, cytokine stimulation reverses the effect and switches the valve endothelium to becoming prothrombotic. The platform eventually modulates the three factors of Virchow's triad and provides a systematic approach to investigate the determinants of fibrin and platelet dynamics of DVT. Therefore, this Vein-Chip offers a new preclinical approach to study venous pathophysiology and show effects of antithrombotic drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon K Walther
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine and Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rishi Suresh
- Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - John P Cooke
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine and Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77808, USA
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239
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Rodrigues RO, Sousa PC, Gaspar J, Bañobre-López M, Lima R, Minas G. Organ-on-a-Chip: A Preclinical Microfluidic Platform for the Progress of Nanomedicine. Small 2020; 16:e2003517. [PMID: 33236819 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202003517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the progress achieved in nanomedicine during the last decade, the translation of new nanotechnology-based therapeutic systems into clinical applications has been slow, especially due to the lack of robust preclinical tissue culture platforms able to mimic the in vivo conditions found in the human body and to predict the performance and biotoxicity of the developed nanomaterials. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms are novel microfluidic tools that mimic complex human organ functions at the microscale level. These integrated microfluidic networks, with 3D tissue engineered models, have been shown high potential to reduce the discrepancies between the results derived from preclinical and clinical trials. However, there are many challenges that still need to be addressed, such as the integration of biosensor modules for long-time monitoring of different physicochemical and biochemical parameters. In this review, recent advances on OoC platforms, particularly on the preclinical validation of nanomaterials designed for cancer, as well as the current challenges and possible future directions for an end-use perspective are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel O Rodrigues
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães, 4800-058, Portugal
- Microfabrication and Exploratory Nanotechnology, INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Patrícia C Sousa
- Microfabrication and Exploratory Nanotechnology, INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal
| | - João Gaspar
- Microfabrication and Exploratory Nanotechnology, INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Manuel Bañobre-López
- Advanced (magnetic) Theranostic Nanostructures Lab, Nanomedicine Unit, INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Rui Lima
- Transport Phenomena Research Center (CEFT), Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), R. Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
- Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães, 4800-058, Portugal
| | - Graça Minas
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães, 4800-058, Portugal
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240
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Yuan L, de Haan P, Peterson BW, de Jong ED, Verpoorte E, van der Mei HC, Busscher HJ. Visualization of Bacterial Colonization and Cellular Layers in a Gut-on-a-Chip System Using Optical Coherence Tomography. Microsc Microanal 2020; 26:1211-1219. [PMID: 33107427 DOI: 10.1017/s143192762002454x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Imaging of cellular layers in a gut-on-a-chip system has been confined to two-dimensional (2D)-imaging through conventional light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) yielding three-dimensional- and 2D-cross-sectional reconstructions. However, CLSM requires staining and is unsuitable for longitudinal visualization. Here, we compare merits of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with those of CLSM and light microscopy for visualization of intestinal epithelial layers during protection by a probiotic Bifidobacterium breve strain and a simultaneous pathogen challenge by an Escherichia coli strain. OCT cross-sectional images yielded film thicknesses that coincided with end-point thicknesses derived from cross-sectional CLSM images. Light microscopy on histological sections of epithelial layers at the end-point yielded smaller layer thicknesses than OCT and CLSM. Protective effects of B. breve adhering to an epithelial layer against an E. coli challenge included the preservation of layer thickness and membrane surface coverage by epithelial cells. OCT does not require staining or sectioning, making OCT suitable for longitudinal visualization of biological films, but as a drawback, OCT does not allow an epithelial layer to be distinguished from bacterial biofilms adhering to it. Thus, OCT is ideal to longitudinally evaluate epithelial layers under probiotic protection and pathogen challenges, but proper image interpretation requires the application of a second method at the end-point to distinguish bacterial and epithelial films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim de Haan
- University of Groningen, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Analysis, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
- TI-COAST, 1098 XHAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brandon W Peterson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ed D de Jong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Verpoorte
- University of Groningen, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Analysis, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henny C van der Mei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk J Busscher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AVGroningen, The Netherlands
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241
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Li W, Sun X, Ji B, Yang X, Zhou B, Lu Z, Gao X. PLGA Nanofiber/PDMS Microporous Composite Membrane-Sandwiched Microchip for Drug Testing. Micromachines (Basel) 2020; 11:mi11121054. [PMID: 33260653 PMCID: PMC7760955 DOI: 10.3390/mi11121054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lung-on-a-chip devices could provide new strategies for a biomimetic lung cell microenvironment and construction of lung disease models in vitro, and are expected to greatly promote the development of drug evaluation, toxicological detection, and disease model building. In this study, we developed a novel poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofiber/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microporous composite membrane-sandwiched lung-on-a-chip to perform anti-tumor drug testing. The composite membrane was characterized, and the results showed that it was permeable to molecules and thus could be used to study small-molecule drug diffusion. In addition, the microchip could apply perfusion fluids to simulate blood flow under extremely low fluid shear stress, and could also simulate the spherical-like shape of the alveoli by deformation of the composite membrane. Using this chip, we evaluated the anti-tumor drug efficacy of gefitinib in two kinds of non-small cell lung cancer cells, the lung adenocarcinoma NCI-H1650 cell line and the large cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cell line. We further probed the resistance of NCI-H460 cells to gefitinib under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The established composite membrane-sandwiched lung chip can simulate more biochemical and biophysical factors in the lung physiological and pathological microenvironment, and it has important applications in the personalized treatment of lung tumors. It is expected to play a potential role in clinical diagnosis and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (W.L.); (X.S.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xindi Sun
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (W.L.); (X.S.); (X.Y.)
| | - Bing Ji
- Joint Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China; (B.J.); (B.Z.)
| | - Xingyuan Yang
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (W.L.); (X.S.); (X.Y.)
| | - Bingpu Zhou
- Joint Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China; (B.J.); (B.Z.)
| | - Zhanjun Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (X.G.)
| | - Xinghua Gao
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (W.L.); (X.S.); (X.Y.)
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); (X.G.)
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242
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Abstract
Maternal infection (i.e., ascending infection) and the resulting host inflammatory response are risk factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), a major pregnancy complication. However, the path of infection and its propagation from the maternal side to the fetal side have been difficult to study due to the lack of appropriate in vitro models and limitations of animal models. A better understanding of the propagation kinetics of infectious agents and development of the host inflammatory response at the feto-maternal (amniochorion-decidua, respectively) interface (FMi) is critical in curtailing host inflammatory responses that can lead to PTB. To model ascending infection and determine inflammatory responses at the FMi, we developed a microfluidic organ-on-chip (OOC) device containing primary cells from the FMi (decidua, chorion, and amnion [mesenchyme and epithelium]) and collagen matrix harvested from primary tissue. The FMi-OOC is composed of four concentric circular cell/collagen chambers designed to mimic the thickness and cell density of the FMi in vivo. Each layer is connected by arrays of microchannels filled with type IV collagen to recreate the basement membrane of the amniochorion. Cellular characteristics (viability, morphology, production of nascent collagen, cellular transitions, and migration) in the OOC were similar to those seen in utero, validating the physiological relevance and utility of the developed FMi-OOC. The ascending infection model of the FMi-OOC, triggered by exposing the maternal (decidua) side of the OOC to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng mL-1), shows that LPS propagated through the chorion, amnion mesenchyme, and reached the fetal amnion within 72 h. LPS induced time-dependent and cell-type-specific pro-inflammatory cytokine production (24 h decidua: IL-6, 48 h chorion: GM-CSF and IL-6, and 72 h amnion mesenchyme and epithelium: GM-CSF and IL-6). Collectively, this OOC model and study successfully modeled ascending infection, its propagation, and distinct inflammatory response at the FMi indicative of pathologic pathways of PTB. This OOC model provides a novel platform to study physiological and pathological cell status at the FMi, and is expected to have broad utility in the field of obstetrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Richardson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
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Kim J, Lee C, Kim I, Ro J, Kim J, Min Y, Park J, Sunkara V, Park YS, Michael I, Kim YA, Lee HJ, Cho YK. Three-Dimensional Human Liver-Chip Emulating Premetastatic Niche Formation by Breast Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. ACS Nano 2020; 14:14971-14988. [PMID: 32880442 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c04778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The liver is one of the most common sites of breast cancer metastasis and is associated with high lethality. Although the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment at metastatic sites has been recognized as a key regulator of tumor progression, the underlying mechanism is not fully elucidated. Here, we describe a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic human liver-on-a-chip (liver-chip) that emulates the formation of a premetastatic niche to investigate the roles of breast cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in liver metastasis. We demonstrate that breast cancer-derived EVs activate liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in the liver-chip, inducing endothelial to mesenchymal transition and destruction of vessel barriers. In addition, we show that transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in breast cancer-derived EVs upregulates fibronectin, an adhesive extracellular matrix protein, on LSECs, which facilitates the adhesion of breast cancer cells to the liver microenvironment. Furthermore, we observed that EVs isolated from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with liver metastasis contain higher TGFβ1 levels and induce adhesion of more breast cancer cells to the 3D human liver-chip than do EVs isolated from healthy donors or nonmetastatic TNBC patients. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms through which breast cancer-derived EVs guide secondary metastasis to the liver. Furthermore, the 3D human liver-chip described in this study provides a platform to investigate the mechanisms underlying secondary metastasis to the liver and possible therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaeeun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Inun Kim
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooyoung Ro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungmin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoohong Min
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhee Park
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Vijaya Sunkara
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang-Seok Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Issac Michael
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ae Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jin Lee
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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244
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Hayward KL, Kouthouridis S, Zhang B. Organ-on-a-Chip Systems for Modeling Pathological Tissue Morphogenesis Associated with Fibrosis and Cancer. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:2900-2925. [PMID: 34275294 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Tissue building does not occur exclusively during development. Even after a whole body is built from a single cell, tissue building can occur to repair and regenerate tissues of the adult body. This confers resilience and enhanced survival to multicellular organisms. However, this resiliency comes at a cost, as the potential for misdirected tissue building creates vulnerability to organ deformation and dysfunction-the hallmarks of disease. Pathological tissue morphogenesis is associated with fibrosis and cancer, which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite being the priority of research for decades, scientific understanding of these diseases is limited and existing therapies underdeliver the desired benefits to patient outcomes. This can largely be attributed to the use of two-dimensional cell culture and animal models that insufficiently recapitulate human disease. Through the synergistic union of biological principles and engineering technology, organ-on-a-chip systems represent a powerful new approach to modeling pathological tissue morphogenesis, one with the potential to yield better insights into disease mechanisms and improved therapies that offer better patient outcomes. This Review will discuss organ-on-a-chip systems that model pathological tissue morphogenesis associated with (1) fibrosis in the context of injury-induced tissue repair and aging and (2) cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Hayward
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Sonya Kouthouridis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Boyang Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
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245
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Ortseifen V, Viefhues M, Wobbe L, Grünberger A. Microfluidics for Biotechnology: Bridging Gaps to Foster Microfluidic Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:589074. [PMID: 33282849 PMCID: PMC7691494 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.589074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics and novel lab-on-a-chip applications have the potential to boost biotechnological research in ways that are not possible using traditional methods. Although microfluidic tools were increasingly used for different applications within biotechnology in recent years, a systematic and routine use in academic and industrial labs is still not established. For many years, absent innovative, ground-breaking and “out-of-the-box” applications have been made responsible for the missing drive to integrate microfluidic technologies into fundamental and applied biotechnological research. In this review, we highlight microfluidics’ offers and compare them to the most important demands of the biotechnologists. Furthermore, a detailed analysis in the state-of-the-art use of microfluidics within biotechnology was conducted exemplarily for four emerging biotechnological fields that can substantially benefit from the application of microfluidic systems, namely the phenotypic screening of cells, the analysis of microbial population heterogeneity, organ-on-a-chip approaches and the characterisation of synthetic co-cultures. The analysis resulted in a discussion of potential “gaps” that can be responsible for the rare integration of microfluidics into biotechnological studies. Our analysis revealed six major gaps, concerning the lack of interdisciplinary communication, mutual knowledge and motivation, methodological compatibility, technological readiness and missing commercialisation, which need to be bridged in the future. We conclude that connecting microfluidics and biotechnology is not an impossible challenge and made seven suggestions to bridge the gaps between those disciplines. This lays the foundation for routine integration of microfluidic systems into biotechnology research procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Ortseifen
- Proteome and Metabolome Research, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology/CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Martina Viefhues
- Experimental Biophysics and Applied Nanosciences, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lutz Wobbe
- Algae Biotechnology and Bioenergy Group, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology/CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alexander Grünberger
- Multiscale Bioengineering, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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246
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Lee Y, Choi JJ, Ahn SI, Lee NH, Han WM, Mohiuddin M, Shin EJ, Wood L, Park KD, Kim Y, Jang YC. Engineered Heterochronic Parabiosis in 3D Microphysiological System for Identification of Muscle Rejuvenating Factors. Adv Funct Mater 2020; 30:2002924. [PMID: 38053980 PMCID: PMC10697693 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202002924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of aged mice to a young systemic milieu revealed remarkable rejuvenation effects on aged tissues, including skeletal muscle. Although some candidate factors have been identified, the exact identity and the underlying mechanisms of putative rejuvenating factors remain elusive, mainly due to the complexity of in vivo parabiosis. Here, we present an in vitro muscle parabiosis system that integrates young- and old-muscle stem cell vascular niche on a three-dimensional microfluidic platform designed to recapitulate key features of native muscle stem cell microenvironment. This innovative system enables mechanistic studies of cellular dynamics and molecular interactions within the muscle stem cell niche, especially in response to conditional extrinsic stimuli of local and systemic factors. We demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling from endothelial cells and myotubes synergistically contribute to the rejuvenation of the aged muscle stem cell function. Moreover, with the adjustable on-chip system, we can mimic both blood transfusion and parabiosis and detect the time-varying effects of anti-geronic and pro-geronic factors in a single organ or multi-organ systems. Our unique approach presents a complementary in vitro model to supplement in vivo parabiosis for identifying potential anti-geronic factors responsible for revitalizing aging organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunki Lee
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Jeongmoon J. Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Song Ih Ahn
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Nan Hee Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Woojin M. Han
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Mahir Mohiuddin
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Eun Jung Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Levi Wood
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ki Dong Park
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - YongTae Kim
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Young C. Jang
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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247
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Rajasekar S, Lin DSY, Abdul L, Liu A, Sotra A, Zhang F, Zhang B. IFlowPlate-A Customized 384-Well Plate for the Culture of Perfusable Vascularized Colon Organoids. Adv Mater 2020; 32:e2002974. [PMID: 33000879 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the complexity and structural sophistication that 3D organoid models provide, their lack of vascularization and perfusion limit the capability of these models to recapitulate organ physiology effectively. A microfluidic platform named IFlowPlate is engineered, which can be used to culture up to 128 independently perfused and vascularized colon organoids in vitro. Unlike traditional microfluidic devices, the vascularized organoid-on-chip device with an "open-well" design does not require any external pumping systems and allows tissue extraction for downstream analyses, such as histochemistry or even in vivo transplantation. By optimizing both the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the culture media formulation, patient-derived colon organoids are co-cultured successfully within a self-assembled vascular network, and it is found that the colon organoids grow significantly better in the platform under constant perfusion versus conventional static condition. Furthermore, a colon inflammation model with an innate immune function where circulating monocytes can be recruited from the vasculature, differentiate into macrophage, and infiltrate the colon organoids in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- inflammatory cytokine stimulation is developed using the platform. With the ability to grow vascularized colon organoids under intravascular perfusion, the IFlowPlate platform could unlock new possibilities for screening potential therapeutic targets or modeling relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shravanthi Rajasekar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Dawn S Y Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Lyan Abdul
- School of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Amy Liu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Alexander Sotra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Feng Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Boyang Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
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248
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Ragelle H, Dernick K, Khemais S, Keppler C, Cousin L, Farouz Y, Louche C, Fauser S, Kustermann S, Tibbitt MW, Westenskow PD. Human Retinal Microvasculature-on-a-Chip for Drug Discovery. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2001531. [PMID: 32975047 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Retinal cells within neurovascular units generate the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) to regulate the local retinal microenvironment and to limit access to inflammatory cells. Breakdown of the endothelial junctional complexes in the BRB negatively affects neuronal signaling and ultimately causes vision loss. As new therapeutics are being developed either to prevent barrier disruption or to restore barrier function, access to physiologically relevant human in vitro tissue models that recapitulate important features of barrier biology is essential for disease modeling, target validation, and toxicity assessment. Here, a tunable organ-on-a-chip model of the retinal microvasculature using human retinal microvascular endothelial cells with integrated flow is described. Automated imaging and image analysis methods are employed for facile screening of leakage mediators and cytokine inhibitors on barrier properties. The developed retinal microvasculature-on-a-chip will enable improved understanding of BRB biology and provide an additional tool for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héloïse Ragelle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Karen Dernick
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Sonia Khemais
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Cordula Keppler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Lucien Cousin
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering ETH Zurich Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Yohan Farouz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Chris Louche
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Sascha Fauser
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kustermann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
| | - Mark W. Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering ETH Zurich Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Peter D. Westenskow
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel F. Hoffmann‐La Roche Ltd. Basel 4070 Switzerland
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249
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Ooka M, Lynch C, Xia M. Application of In Vitro Metabolism Activation in High-Throughput Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218182. [PMID: 33142951 PMCID: PMC7663506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro methods which incorporate metabolic capability into the assays allow us to assess the activity of metabolites from their parent compounds. These methods can be applied into high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms, thereby increasing the speed to identify compounds that become active via the metabolism process. HTS was originally used in the pharmaceutical industry and now is also used in academic settings to evaluate biological activity and/or toxicity of chemicals. Although most chemicals are metabolized in our body, many HTS assays lack the capability to determine compound activity via metabolism. To overcome this problem, several in vitro metabolic methods have been applied to an HTS format. In this review, we describe in vitro metabolism methods and their application in HTS assays, as well as discuss the future perspectives of HTS with metabolic activity. Each in vitro metabolism method has advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the S9 mix has a full set of liver metabolic enzymes, but it displays high cytotoxicity in cell-based assays. In vitro metabolism requires liver fractions or the use of other metabolically capable systems, including primary hepatocytes or recombinant enzymes. Several newly developed in vitro metabolic methods, including HepaRG cells, three-dimensional (3D) cell models, and organ-on-a-chip technology, will also be discussed. These newly developed in vitro metabolism approaches offer significant progress in dissecting biological processes, developing drugs, and making toxicology studies quicker and more efficient.
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250
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Fuller HC, Wei TY, Behrens MR, Ruder WC. The Future Application of Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies as Proving Grounds for MicroBioRobots. Micromachines (Basel) 2020; 11:E947. [PMID: 33092054 PMCID: PMC7589118 DOI: 10.3390/mi11100947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
An evolving understanding of disease pathogenesis has compelled the development of new drug delivery approaches. Recently, bioinspired microrobots have gained traction as drug delivery systems. By leveraging the microscale phenomena found in physiological systems, these microrobots can be designed with greater maneuverability, which enables more precise, controlled drug release. Their function could be further improved by testing their efficacy in physiologically relevant model systems as part of their development. In parallel with the emergence of microscale robots, organ-on-a-chip technologies have become important in drug discovery and physiological modeling. These systems reproduce organ-level functions in microfluidic devices, and can also incorporate specific biological, chemical, and physical aspects of a disease. This review highlights recent developments in both microrobotics and organ-on-a-chip technologies and envisions their combined use for developing future drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley C. Fuller
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Ting-Yen Wei
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Michael R. Behrens
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Warren C. Ruder
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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