1
|
Roser LA, Sakellariou C, Lindstedt M, Neuhaus V, Dehmel S, Sommer C, Raasch M, Flandre T, Roesener S, Hewitt P, Parnham MJ, Sewald K, Schiffmann S. IL-2-mediated hepatotoxicity: knowledge gap identification based on the irAOP concept. J Immunotoxicol 2024; 21:2332177. [PMID: 38578203 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2024.2332177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced hepatotoxicity constitutes a major reason for non-approval and post-marketing withdrawal of pharmaceuticals. In many cases, preclinical models lack predictive capacity for hepatic damage in humans. A vital concern is the integration of immune system effects in preclinical safety assessment. The immune-related Adverse Outcome Pathway (irAOP) approach, which is applied within the Immune Safety Avatar (imSAVAR) consortium, presents a novel method to understand and predict immune-mediated adverse events elicited by pharmaceuticals and thus targets this issue. It aims to dissect the molecular mechanisms involved and identify key players in drug-induced side effects. As irAOPs are still in their infancy, there is a need for a model irAOP to validate the suitability of this tool. For this purpose, we developed a hepatotoxicity-based model irAOP for recombinant human IL-2 (aldesleukin). Besides producing durable therapeutic responses against renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma, the boosted immune activation upon IL-2 treatment elicits liver damage. The availability of extensive data regarding IL-2 allows both the generation of a comprehensive putative irAOP and to validate the predictability of the irAOP with clinical data. Moreover, IL-2, as one of the first cancer immunotherapeutics on the market, is a blueprint for various biological and novel treatment regimens that are under investigation today. This review provides a guideline for further irAOP-directed research in immune-mediated hepatotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luise A Roser
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Malin Lindstedt
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vanessa Neuhaus
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susann Dehmel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hannover, Germany
| | - Charline Sommer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thierry Flandre
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sigrid Roesener
- Chemical and Preclinical Safety, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Philip Hewitt
- Chemical and Preclinical Safety, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michael J Parnham
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals ehf, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Katherina Sewald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hannover, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ebrahimi A, Ghorbanpoor H, Apaydın E, Demir Cevizlidere B, Özel C, Tüfekçioğlu E, Koç Y, Topal AE, Tomsuk Ö, Güleç K, Abdullayeva N, Kaya M, Ghorbani A, Şengel T, Benzait Z, Uysal O, Eker Sarıboyacı A, Doğan Güzel F, Singh H, Hassan S, Ankara H, Pat S, Atalay E, Avci H. Convenient rapid prototyping microphysiological niche for mimicking liver native basement membrane: Liver sinusoid on a chip. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 245:114292. [PMID: 39383580 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
Liver is responsible for the metabolization processes of up to 90 % of compounds and toxins in the body. Therefore liver-on-a-chip systems, as an in vitro promising cell culture platform, have great importance for fundamental science and drug development. In most of the liver-on-a-chip studies, seeding cells on both sides of a porous membrane, which represents the basement membrane, fail to resemble the native characteristics of biochemical, biophysical, and mechanical properties. In this study, polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes were coated with gelatin to address this issue by accurately mimicking the native basement membrane present in the space of Disse. Various coating methods were used, including doctor blade, gel micro-injection, electrospinning, and spin coating. Spin coating was demonstrated to be the most effective technique owing to the ability to produce thin gel thickness with desirable surface roughness for cell interactions on both sides of the membrane. HepG2 and EA.HY926 cells were seeded on the upper and bottom sides of the gelatin-coated PET membrane and cultured on-chip for 7 days. Cell viability increased from 90 % to 95 %, while apoptotic index decreased. Albumin secretion notably rose between days 1-7 and 4-7, while GST-α secretion decreased from day 1 to day 7. In conclusion, the optimized spin coating process reported here can effectively modify the membranes to better mimic the native basement membrane niche characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aliakbar Ebrahimi
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Hamed Ghorbanpoor
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Elif Apaydın
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Bahar Demir Cevizlidere
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Özel
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Emre Tüfekçioğlu
- Department of Industrial Design/Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Eskisehir Technical University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Yücel Koç
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Emin Topal
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Özlem Tomsuk
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Türkiye
| | - Kadri Güleç
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Nuran Abdullayeva
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Murat Kaya
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Aynaz Ghorbani
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Tayfun Şengel
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Central Research Laboratory Research and Application Center (ARUM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Zineb Benzait
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Onur Uysal
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Ayla Eker Sarıboyacı
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye
| | - Fatma Doğan Güzel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Hemant Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Khalifa University, Main Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University, Main Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Functional Biomaterials Group, Khalifa University, San Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shabir Hassan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Khalifa University, Main Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University, Main Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Functional Biomaterials Group, Khalifa University, San Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hüseyin Ankara
- Mining Engineering Department, Engineering-Architecture Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Meşelik Campus, Eskisehir 26480, Türkiye
| | - Suat Pat
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, Eskisehir TR-26040, Türkiye
| | - Eray Atalay
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir 26040, Türkiye
| | - Huseyin Avci
- Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Production Application and Research Center (ESTEM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye; Translational Medicine Research and Clinical Center (TATUM), Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Türkiye.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dey S, Bhat A, Janani G, Shandilya V, Gupta R, Mandal BB. Microfluidic human physiomimetic liver model as a screening platform for drug induced liver injury. Biomaterials 2024; 310:122627. [PMID: 38823194 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The pre-clinical animal models often fail to predict intrinsic and idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (DILI), thus contributing to drug failures in clinical trials, black box warnings and withdrawal of marketed drugs. This suggests a critical need for human-relevant in vitro models to predict diverse DILI phenotypes. In this study, a porcine liver extracellular matrix (ECM) based biomaterial ink with high printing fidelity, biocompatibility and tunable rheological and mechanical properties is formulated for supporting both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. Further, we applied 3D printing and microfluidic technology to bioengineer a human physiomimetic liver acinus model (HPLAM), recapitulating the radial hepatic cord-like structure with functional sinusoidal microvasculature network, biochemical and biophysical properties of native liver acinus. Intriguingly, the human derived hepatic cells incorporated HPLAM cultured under physiologically relevant microenvironment, acts as metabolic biofactories manifesting enhanced hepatic functionality, secretome levels and biomarkers expression over several weeks. We also report that the matured HPLAM reproduces dose- and time-dependent hepatotoxic response of human clinical relevance to drugs typically recognized for inducing diverse DILI phenotypes as compared to conventional static culture. Overall, the developed HPLAM emulates in vivo like functions and may provide a useful platform for DILI risk assessment to better determine safety and human risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Souradeep Dey
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Amritha Bhat
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - G Janani
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Vartik Shandilya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Raghvendra Gupta
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Biman B Mandal
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Qi L, Groeger M, Sharma A, Goswami I, Chen E, Zhong F, Ram A, Healy K, Hsiao EC, Willenbring H, Stahl A. Adipocyte inflammation is the primary driver of hepatic insulin resistance in a human iPSC-based microphysiological system. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7991. [PMID: 39266553 PMCID: PMC11393072 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52258-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Interactions between adipose tissue, liver and immune system are at the center of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. To address the need for an accurate in vitro model, we establish an interconnected microphysiological system (MPS) containing white adipocytes, hepatocytes and proinflammatory macrophages derived from isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells. Using this MPS, we find that increasing the adipocyte-to-hepatocyte ratio moderately affects hepatocyte function, whereas macrophage-induced adipocyte inflammation causes lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and MPS-wide insulin resistance, corresponding to initiation of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. We also use our MPS to identify and characterize pharmacological intervention strategies for hepatic steatosis and systemic insulin resistance and find that the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist semaglutide improves hepatocyte function by acting specifically on adipocytes. These results establish our MPS modeling the adipose tissue-liver axis as an alternative to animal models for mechanistic studies or drug discovery in metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Qi
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, College of Natural Resources, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Marko Groeger
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Aditi Sharma
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Ishan Goswami
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Erzhen Chen
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, College of Natural Resources, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Fenmiao Zhong
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, College of Natural Resources, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Apsara Ram
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Kevin Healy
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Edward C Hsiao
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Holger Willenbring
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
- Liver Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Andreas Stahl
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, College of Natural Resources, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiao D, Xie L, Xing W. A pumpless liver-on-a-chip for drug hepatotoxicity analysis. Analyst 2024; 149:4675-4686. [PMID: 39086194 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00602j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
This study presents the development and validation of an innovative microfluidic liver-on-a-chip device utilizing gravity-driven perfusion for the evaluation of drug hepatotoxicity. This research involved the construction of a hydrogel-based coculture chip that integrates liver parenchymal and stellate cells within a tri-channel configuration. The assembly and operation of the liver-on-a-chip and its accompanying custom rocker were straightforward. The cells in the chip maintained high viability and continuously synthesized liver albumin over extended culture durations. Acetaminophen (APAP), a hepatic injury-inducing drug, was utilized as a positive control in hepatic toxicity assays on the chip. The liver chip exhibited hepatotoxic responses comparable to those observed in 2D models. Furthermore, in this study we evaluated the effects of two plant-derived natural compounds, aristolochic acid I (AA) and its analog aristolactam AII (AL), in both 2D cell models and the liver-on-a-chip system. AA, known for its hepatorenal toxicity, was observed to cause hepatotoxicity in both the 2D models and on the chip. The flow cytometry and mRNA sequencing results confirmed the propensity of these compounds to induce liver cell apoptosis. Notably, AL, previously considered nontoxic, provoked a significant decrease in the hepatic functionality marker albumin exclusively in the liver chip but not in 2D models, indicating the liver chip's enhanced sensitivity to toxic substances. In summary, this pumpless liver-on-a-chip is a simple yet powerful tool for drug hepatotoxicity studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dian Jiao
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Xie
- Medical Systems Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Wanli Xing
- Medical Systems Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xie Y, Guo Y, Xie F, Dong Y, Zhang X, Li X, Zhang X. A flexible strategy to fabricate trumpet-shaped porous PDMS membranes for organ-on-chip application. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:054101. [PMID: 39247799 PMCID: PMC11379495 DOI: 10.1063/5.0227148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane is a crucial element in organs-on-chips fabrication, supplying a unique substrate that can be used for the generation of tissue-tissue interfaces, separate co-culture, biomimetic stretch application, etc. However, the existing methods of through-hole PDMS membrane production are largely limited by labor-consuming processes and/or expensive equipment. Here, we propose an accessible and low-cost strategy to fabricate through-hole PDMS membranes with good controllability, which is performed via combining wet-etching and spin-coating processes. The porous membrane is obtained by spin-coating OS-20 diluted PDMS on an etched glass template with a columnar array structure. The pore size and thickness of the PDMS membrane can be adjusted flexibly via optimizing the template structure and spinning speed. In particular, compared to the traditional vertical through-hole structure of porous membranes, the membranes prepared by this method feature a trumpet-shaped structure, which allows for the generation of some unique bionic structures on organs-on-chips. When the trumpet-shape faces upward, the endothelium spreads at the bottom of the porous membrane, and intestinal cells form a villous structure, achieving the same effect as traditional methods. Conversely, when the trumpet-shape faces downward, intestinal cells spontaneously form a crypt-like structure, which is challenging to achieve with other methods. The proposed approach is simple, flexible with good reproducibility, and low-cost, which provides a new way to facilitate the building of multifunctional organ-on-chip systems and accelerate their translational applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of SSAC, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China
| | - Fuwei Xie
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of CNTC, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | | | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of SSAC, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of CNTC, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of SSAC, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang JW, Khorsandi D, Trabucco L, Ahmed M, Khademhosseini A, Dokmeci MR, Ye JY, Jucaud V. Liver-on-a-Chip Integrated with Label-Free Optical Biosensors for Rapid and Continuous Monitoring of Drug-Induced Toxicity. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403560. [PMID: 39212623 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Drug toxicity assays using conventional 2D static cultures and animal studies have limitations preventing the translation of potential drugs to the clinic. The recent development of organs-on-a-chip platforms provides promising alternatives for drug toxicity/screening assays. However, most studies conducted with these platforms only utilize single endpoint results, which do not provide real-time/ near real-time information. Here, a versatile technology is presented that integrates a 3D liver-on-a-chip with a label-free photonic crystal-total internal reflection (PC-TIR) biosensor for rapid and continuous monitoring of the status of cells. This technology can detect drug-induced liver toxicity by continuously monitoring the secretion rates and levels of albumin and glutathione S-transferase α (GST-α) of a 3D liver on-a-chip model treated with Doxorubicin. The PC-TIR biosensor is based on a one-step antibody functionalization with high specificity and a detection range of 21.7 ng mL-1 to 7.83 x 103 ng mL-1 for albumin and 2.20 ng mL-1 to 7.94 x 102 ng mL-1 for GST-α. This approach provides critical advantages for the early detection of drug toxicity and improved temporal resolution to capture transient drug effects. The proposed proof-of-concept study introduces a scalable and efficient plug-in solution for organ-on-a-chip technologies, advancing drug development and in vitro testing methods by enabling timely and accurate toxicity assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Yang
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, 21100 Erwin St, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, USA
| | - Danial Khorsandi
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, 21100 Erwin St, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, USA
| | - Luis Trabucco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Maisha Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, 21100 Erwin St, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, USA
| | - Mehmet Remzi Dokmeci
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, 21100 Erwin St, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, USA
| | - Jing Yong Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Vadim Jucaud
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, 21100 Erwin St, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mehta V, Karnam G, Madgula V. Liver-on-chips for drug discovery and development. Mater Today Bio 2024; 27:101143. [PMID: 39070097 PMCID: PMC11279310 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent FDA modernization act 2.0 has led to increasing industrial R&D investment in advanced in vitro 3D models such as organoids, spheroids, organ-on-chips, 3D bioprinting, and in silico approaches. Liver-related advanced in vitro models remain the prime area of interest, as liver plays a central role in drug clearance of compounds. Growing evidence indicates the importance of recapitulating the overall liver microenvironment to enhance hepatocyte maturity and culture longevity using liver-on-chips (LoC) in vitro. Hence, pharmaceutical industries have started exploring LoC assays in the two of the most challenging areas: accurate in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) of hepatic drug clearance and drug-induced liver injury. We examine the joint efforts of commercial chip manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies to present an up-to-date overview of the adoption of LoC technology in the drug discovery. Further, several roadblocks are identified to the rapid adoption of LoC assays in the current drug development framework. Finally, we discuss some of the underexplored application areas of LoC models, where conventional 2D hepatic models are deemed unsuitable. These include clearance prediction of metabolically stable compounds, immune-mediated drug-induced liver injury (DILI) predictions, bioavailability prediction with gut-liver systems, hepatic clearance prediction of drugs given during pregnancy, and dose adjustment studies in disease conditions. We conclude the review by discussing the importance of PBPK modeling with LoC, digital twins, and AI/ML integration with LoC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viraj Mehta
- Organoid Technology Lab, DMPK Department, Sai Life Sciences, Hyderabad, 500078, India
| | - Guruswamy Karnam
- Organoid Technology Lab, DMPK Department, Sai Life Sciences, Hyderabad, 500078, India
| | - Vamsi Madgula
- Organoid Technology Lab, DMPK Department, Sai Life Sciences, Hyderabad, 500078, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li C, He W, Song Y, Zhang X, Sun J, Zhou Z. Advances of 3D Cell Co-Culture Technology Based on Microfluidic Chips. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:336. [PMID: 39056612 PMCID: PMC11274478 DOI: 10.3390/bios14070336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Cell co-culture technology aims to study the communication mechanism between cells and to better reveal the interactions and regulatory mechanisms involved in processes such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and other cellular activities. This is achieved by simulating the complex organismic environment. Such studies are of great significance for understanding the physiological and pathological processes of multicellular organisms. As an emerging cell cultivation technology, 3D cell co-culture technology, based on microfluidic chips, can efficiently, rapidly, and accurately achieve cell co-culture. This is accomplished by leveraging the unique microchannel structures and flow characteristics of microfluidic chips. The technology can simulate the native microenvironment of cell growth, providing a new technical platform for studying intercellular communication. It has been widely used in the research of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and other fields. In this review, we summarize and provide insights into the design of cell co-culture systems on microfluidic chips, the detection methods employed in co-culture systems, and the applications of these models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Can Li
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| | - Wei He
- Department of Clinical Medical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China;
| | - Yihua Song
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xia Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| | - Jianfei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zuojian Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shrestha S, Lekkala VKR, Acharya P, Kang SY, Vanga MG, Lee MY. Reproducible generation of human liver organoids (HLOs) on a pillar plate platform via microarray 3D bioprinting. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2747-2761. [PMID: 38660778 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00149d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Human liver organoids (HLOs) hold significant potential for recapitulating the architecture and function of liver tissues in vivo. However, conventional culture methods of HLOs, forming Matrigel domes in 6-/24-well plates, have technical limitations such as high cost and low throughput in organoid-based assays for predictive assessment of compounds in clinical and pharmacological lab settings. To address these issues, we have developed a unique microarray 3D bioprinting protocol of progenitor cells in biomimetic hydrogels on a pillar plate with sidewalls and slits, coupled with a clear bottom, 384-deep well plate for scale-up production of HLOs. Microarray 3D bioprinting, a droplet-based printing technology, was used to generate a large number of small organoids on the pillar plate for predictive hepatotoxicity assays. Foregut cells, differentiated from human iPSCs, were mixed with Matrigel and then printed on the pillar plate rapidly and uniformly, resulting in coefficient of variation (CV) values in the range of 15-18%, without any detrimental effect on cell viability. Despite utilizing 10-50-fold smaller cell culture volume compared to their counterparts in Matrigel domes in 6-/24-well plates, HLOs differentiated on the pillar plate exhibited similar morphology and superior function, potentially due to rapid diffusion of nutrients and oxygen at the small scale. Day 25 HLOs were robust and functional on the pillar plate in terms of their viability, albumin secretion, CYP3A4 activity, and drug toxicity testing, all with low CV values. From three independent trials of in situ assessment, the IC50 values calculated for sorafenib and tamoxifen were 6.2 ± 1.6 μM and 25.4 ± 8.3 μM, respectively. Therefore, our unique 3D bioprinting and miniature organoid culture on the pillar plate could be used for scale-up, reproducible generation of HLOs with minimal manual intervention for high-throughput assessment of compound hepatotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Shrestha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
| | | | - Prabha Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
| | - Soo-Yeon Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
| | - Manav Goud Vanga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
- Bioprinting Laboratories Inc., Dallas, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ponmozhi J, Dhinakaran S, Kocsis D, Iván K, Erdő F. Models for barrier understanding in health and disease in lab-on-a-chips. Tissue Barriers 2024; 12:2221632. [PMID: 37294075 PMCID: PMC11042069 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2023.2221632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of body homeostasis relies heavily on physiological barriers. Dysfunction of these barriers can lead to various pathological processes, including increased exposure to toxic materials and microorganisms. Various methods exist to investigate barrier function in vivo and in vitro. To investigate barrier function in a highly reproducible manner, ethically, and high throughput, researchers have turned to non-animal techniques and micro-scale technologies. In this comprehensive review, the authors summarize the current applications of organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices in the study of physiological barriers. The review covers the blood-brain barrier, ocular barriers, dermal barrier, respiratory barriers, intestinal, hepatobiliary, and renal/bladder barriers under both healthy and pathological conditions. The article then briefly presents placental/vaginal, and tumour/multi-organ barriers in organ-on-a-chip devices. Finally, the review discusses Computational Fluid Dynamics in microfluidic systems that integrate biological barriers. This article provides a concise yet informative overview of the current state-of-the-art in barrier studies using microfluidic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Ponmozhi
- Microfluidics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IPS Academy-Institute of Engineering Science, Indore, India
| | - S. Dhinakaran
- The Centre for Fluid Dynamics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
| | - Dorottya Kocsis
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Iván
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Franciska Erdő
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Scheidecker B, Poulain S, Sugimoto M, Arakawa H, Kim SH, Kawanishi T, Kato Y, Danoy M, Nishikawa M, Sakai Y. Mechanobiological stimulation in organ-on-a-chip systems reduces hepatic drug metabolic capacity in favor of regenerative specialization. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:1435-1452. [PMID: 38184801 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic physiology depends on the liver's complex structural composition which among others, provides high oxygen supply rates, locally differential oxygen tension, endothelial paracrine signaling, as well as residual hemodynamic shear stress to resident hepatocytes. While functional improvements were shown by implementing these factors into hepatic culture systems, direct cause-effect relationships are often not well characterized-obfuscating their individual contribution in more complex microphysiological systems. By comparing increasingly complex hepatic in vitro culture systems that gradually implement these parameters, we investigate the influence of the cellular microenvironment to overall hepatic functionality in pharmacological applications. Here, hepatocytes were modulated in terms of oxygen tension and supplementation, endothelial coculture, and exposure to fluid shear stress delineated from oxygen influx. Results from transcriptomic and metabolomic evaluation indicate that particularly oxygen supply rates are critical to enhance cellular functionality-with cellular drug metabolism remaining comparable to physiological conditions after prolonged static culture. Endothelial signaling was found to be a major contributor to differential phenotype formation known as metabolic zonation, indicated by WNT pathway activity. Lastly, oxygen-delineated shear stress was identified to direct cellular fate towards increased hepatic plasticity and regenerative phenotypes at the cost of drug metabolic functionality - in line with regenerative effects observed in vivo. With these results, we provide a systematic evaluation of critical parameters and their impact in hepatic systems. Given their adherence to physiological effects in vivo, this highlights the importance of their implementation in biomimetic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip systems. Considering recent advances in basic liver biology, direct translation of physiological structures into in vitro models is a promising strategy to expand the capabilities of pharmacological models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphane Poulain
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Yamagata, Japan
- Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Arakawa
- Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Soo H Kim
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takumi Kawanishi
- Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yukio Kato
- Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mathieu Danoy
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
de Hoyos-Vega JM, Gonzalez-Suarez AM, Cedillo-Alcantar DF, Stybayeva G, Matveyenko A, Malhi H, Garcia-Cordero JL, Revzin A. Microfluidic 3D hepatic cultures integrated with a droplet-based bioanalysis unit. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 248:115896. [PMID: 38176252 PMCID: PMC10916504 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
A common challenge in microfluidic cell cultures has to do with analysis of cell function without replacing a significant fraction of the culture volume and disturbing local concentration gradients of signals. To address this challenge, we developed a microfluidic cell culture device with an integrated bioanalysis unit to enable on-chip analysis of picoliter volumes of cell-conditioned media. The culture module consisted of an array of 140 microwells with a diameter of 300 m which were made low-binding to promote organization of cells into 3D spheroids. The bioanalysis module contained a droplet generator unit, 15 micromechanical valves and reservoirs loaded with reagents. Each 0.8 nL droplet contained an aliquot of conditioned media mixed with assay reagents. The use of microvalves allowed us to load enzymatic assay and immunoassay into sequentially generated droplets for detection of glucose and albumin, respectively. As a biological application of the microfluidic device, we evaluated hormonal stimulation and glucose consumption of hepatic spheroids. To mimic physiological processes occurring during feeding and fasting, hepatic spheroids were exposed to pancreatic hormones, insulin or glucagon. The droplet-based bioanalysis module was used to measure uptake or release of glucose upon hormonal stimulation. In the future, we intend to use this microfluidic device to mimic and measure pathophysiological processes associated with hepatic insulin resistance and diabetes in the context of metabolic syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose M de Hoyos-Vega
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Diana F Cedillo-Alcantar
- Laboratory of Microtechnologies Applied to Biomedicine, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav), Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Gulnaz Stybayeva
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Aleksey Matveyenko
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Harmeet Malhi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA
| | - Jose L Garcia-Cordero
- Laboratory of Microtechnologies Applied to Biomedicine, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav), Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Alexander Revzin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Shrestha S, Lekkala VKR, Acharya P, Kang SY, Vanga MG, Lee MY. Reproducible generation of human liver organoids (HLOs) on a pillar plate platform via microarray 3D bioprinting. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.11.584478. [PMID: 38559126 PMCID: PMC10979895 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.11.584478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Human liver organoids (HLOs) hold significant potential for recapitulating the architecture and function of liver tissues in vivo. However, conventional culture methods of HLOs, forming Matrigel domes in 6-/24-well plates, have technical limitations such as high cost and low throughput in organoid-based assays for predictive assessment of compounds in clinical and pharmacological lab settings. To address these issues, we have developed a unique microarray 3D bioprinting protocol of progenitor cells in biomimetic hydrogels on a pillar plate with sidewalls and slits, coupled with a clear bottom, 384-deep well plate for scale-up production of HLOs. Microarray 3D bioprinting, a droplet-based printing technology, was used to generate a large number of small organoids on the pillar plate for predictive hepatotoxicity assays. Foregut cells, differentiated from human iPSCs, were mixed with Matrigel and then printed on the pillar plate rapidly and uniformly, resulting in coefficient of variation (CV) values in the range of 15 - 18%, without any detrimental effect on cell viability. Despite utilizing 10 - 50-fold smaller cell culture volume compared to their counterparts in Matrigel domes in 6-/24-well plates, HLOs differentiated on the pillar plate exhibited similar morphology and superior function, potentially due to rapid diffusion of nutrients and oxygen at the small scale. Day 25 HLOs were robust and functional on the pillar plate in terms of their viability, albumin secretion, CYP3A4 activity, and drug toxicity testing, all with low CV values. From three independent trials of in situ assessment, the IC50 values calculated for sorafenib and tamoxifen were 6.2 ± 1.6 μM and 25.4 ± 8.3 μM, respectively. Therefore, our unique 3D bioprinting and miniature organoid culture on the pillar plate could be used for scale-up, reproducible generation of HLOs with minimal manual intervention for high-throughput assessment of compound hepatotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Shrestha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | | | - Prabha Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Soo-Yeon Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Manav Goud Vanga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
- Bioprinting Laboratories Inc., Dallas, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhang X, Li P, Zhou J, Zhang Z, Wu H, Shu X, Li W, Wu Y, Du Y, Lü D, Lü S, Li N, Long M. FAK-p38 signaling serves as a potential target for reverting matrix stiffness-modulated liver sinusoidal endothelial cell defenestration. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122462. [PMID: 38171118 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are highly specific endothelial cells which play an essential role in the maintenance of liver homeostasis. During the progression of liver fibrosis, matrix stiffening promotes LSEC defenestration, however, the underlying mechanotransduction mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we applied stiffness-tunable hydrogels to assess the matrix stiffening-induced phenotypic changes in primary mouse LSECs. Results indicated that increased stiffness promoted LSEC defenestration through cytoskeletal reorganization. LSECs sensed the increased matrix stiffness via focal adhesion kinase (FAK), leading to the activation of p38-mitogen activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) pathway, thereby inducing actin remodeling via LIM Kinase 1 (LIMK1) and Cofilin. Interestingly, inhibition of FAK or p38-MK2 pathway was able to effectively restore the fenestrae to a certain degree in LSECs isolated from early to late stages of liver fibrosis mice. Thus, this study highlights the impact of mechanotransduction in LSEC defenestration, and provides novel insights for potential therapeutic interventions for liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peiwen Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Ziliang Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xinyu Shu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wang Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu Du
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Dongyuan Lü
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shouqin Lü
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gaudreau LI, Stewart EJ. Vasculature-on-a-chip technologies as platforms for advanced studies of bacterial infections. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:021503. [PMID: 38560344 PMCID: PMC10977040 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial infections frequently occur within or near the vascular network as the vascular network connects organ systems and is essential in delivering and removing blood, essential nutrients, and waste products to and from organs. In turn, the vasculature plays a key role in the host immune response to bacterial infections. Technological advancements in microfluidic device design and development have yielded increasingly sophisticated and physiologically relevant models of the vasculature including vasculature-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip models. This review aims to highlight advancements in microfluidic device development that have enabled studies of the vascular response to bacteria and bacterial-derived molecules at or near the vascular interface. In the first section of this review, we discuss the use of parallel plate flow chambers and flow cells in studies of bacterial adhesion to the vasculature. We then highlight microfluidic models of the vasculature that have been utilized to study bacteria and bacterial-derived molecules at or near the vascular interface. Next, we review organ-on-a-chip models inclusive of the vasculature and pathogenic bacteria or bacterial-derived molecules that stimulate an inflammatory response within the model system. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research in advancing the understanding of host-bacteria interactions and responses during infections as well as in developing innovative antimicrobials for preventing and treating bacterial infections that capitalize on technological advancements in microfluidic device design and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lily Isabelle Gaudreau
- Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Leal F, Zeiringer S, Jeitler R, Costa PF, Roblegg E. A comprehensive overview of advanced dynamic in vitro intestinal and hepatic cell culture models. Tissue Barriers 2024; 12:2163820. [PMID: 36680530 PMCID: PMC10832944 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2022.2163820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Orally administered drugs pass through the gastrointestinal tract before being absorbed in the small intestine and metabolised in the liver. To test the efficacy and toxicity of drugs, animal models are often employed; however, they are not suitable for investigating drug-tissue interactions and making reliable predictions, since the human organism differs drastically from animals in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of substances. Likewise, simple static in vitro cell culture systems currently used in preclinical drug screening often do not resemble the native characteristics of biological barriers. Dynamic models, on the other hand, provide in vivo-like cell phenotypes and functionalities that offer great potential for safety and efficacy prediction. Herein, current microfluidic in vitro intestinal and hepatic models are reviewed, namely single- and multi-tissue micro-bioreactors, which are associated with different methods of cell cultivation, i.e., scaffold-based versus scaffold-free.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Leal
- BIOFABICS, Rua Alfredo Allen 455, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Scarlett Zeiringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitaetsplatz 1, Graz, Austria
| | - Ramona Jeitler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitaetsplatz 1, Graz, Austria
| | - Pedro F. Costa
- BIOFABICS, Rua Alfredo Allen 455, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Eva Roblegg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitaetsplatz 1, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Carvalho AM, Bansal R, Barrias CC, Sarmento B. The Material World of 3D-Bioprinted and Microfluidic-Chip Models of Human Liver Fibrosis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307673. [PMID: 37961933 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials are extensively used to mimic cell-matrix interactions, which are essential for cell growth, function, and differentiation. This is particularly relevant when developing in vitro disease models of organs rich in extracellular matrix, like the liver. Liver disease involves a chronic wound-healing response with formation of scar tissue known as fibrosis. At early stages, liver disease can be reverted, but as disease progresses, reversion is no longer possible, and there is no cure. Research for new therapies is hampered by the lack of adequate models that replicate the mechanical properties and biochemical stimuli present in the fibrotic liver. Fibrosis is associated with changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix that directly influence cell behavior. Biomaterials could play an essential role in better emulating the disease microenvironment. In this paper, the recent and cutting-edge biomaterials used for creating in vitro models of human liver fibrosis are revised, in combination with cells, bioprinting, and/or microfluidics. These technologies have been instrumental to replicate the intricate structure of the unhealthy tissue and promote medium perfusion that improves cell growth and function, respectively. A comprehensive analysis of the impact of material hints and cell-material interactions in a tridimensional context is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Carvalho
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Translational Liver Research, Department of Medical Cell Biophysics, Technical Medical Center, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina C Barrias
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- IUCS - Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, CESPU, Rua Central de Gandra 1317, Gandra, 4585-116, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Messelmani T, Le Goff A, Soncin F, Souguir Z, Merlier F, Maubon N, Legallais C, Leclerc E, Jellali R. Coculture model of a liver sinusoidal endothelial cell barrier and HepG2/C3a spheroids-on-chip in an advanced fluidic platform. J Biosci Bioeng 2024; 137:64-75. [PMID: 37973520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The liver is one of the main organs involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics and a key organ in toxicity studies. Prior to accessing the hepatocytes, xenobiotics pass through the hepatic sinusoid formed by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). The LSECs barrier regulates the kinetics and concentrations of the xenobiotics before their metabolic processing by the hepatocytes. To mimic this physiological situation, we developed an in vitro model reproducing an LSECs barrier in coculture with a hepatocyte biochip, using a fluidic platform. This technology made dynamic coculture and tissue crosstalk possible. SK-HEP-1 and HepG2/C3a cells were used as LSECs and as hepatocyte models, respectively. We confirmed the LSECs phenotype by measuring PECAM-1 and stabilin-2 expression levels and the barrier's permeability/transport properties with various molecules. The tightness of the SK-HEP-1 barrier was enhanced in the dynamic coculture. The morphology, albumin secretion, and gene expression levels of markers of HepG2/C3a were not modified by coculture with the LSECs barrier. Using acetaminophen, a well-known hepatotoxic drug, to study tissue crosstalk, there was a reduction in the expression levels of the LSECs markers stabilin-2 and PECAM-1, and a modification of those of CLEC4M and KDR. No HepG2/C3a toxicity was observed. The metabolisation of acetaminophen by HepG2/C3a monocultures and cocultures was confirmed. Although primary cells are required to propose a fully relevant model, the present approach highlights the potential of our system for investigating xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taha Messelmani
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Anne Le Goff
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Fabrice Soncin
- CNRS/IIS/Centre Oscar Lambret/Lille University SMMiL-E Project, CNRS Délégation Hauts-de-France, 43 Avenue le Corbusier, 59800 Lille, France; CNRS, IRL2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Zied Souguir
- HCS Pharma, 250 rue Salvador Allende, Biocentre Fleming Bâtiment A, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Franck Merlier
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, UPJV, CNRS, Enzyme and Cell Engineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, Cedex CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne, France
| | - Nathalie Maubon
- HCS Pharma, 250 rue Salvador Allende, Biocentre Fleming Bâtiment A, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Cécile Legallais
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Eric Leclerc
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France; CNRS, IRL2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Rachid Jellali
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li W, Wu Y, Hu W, Zhou J, Shu X, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Wu H, Du Y, Lü D, Lü S, Li N, Long M. Direct mechanical exposure initiates hepatocyte proliferation. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100905. [PMID: 37920845 PMCID: PMC10618550 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Liver paracrine signaling from liver sinusoid endothelial cells to hepatocytes in response to mechanical stimuli is crucial in highly coordinated liver regeneration. Interstitial flow through the fenestrated endothelium inside the space of Disse potentiates the role of direct exposure of hepatocytes to fluid flow in the immediate regenerative responses after partial hepatectomy, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods Mouse liver perfusion was used to identify the effects of interstitial flow on hepatocyte proliferation ex vivo. Isolated hepatocytes were further exposed to varied shear stresses directly in vitro. Knockdown and/or inhibition of mechanosensitive proteins were used to unravel the signaling pathways responsible for cell proliferation. Results An increased interstitial flow was visualized and hepatocytes' regenerative response was demonstrated experimentally by ex vivo perfusion of mouse livers. In vitro measurements also showed that fluid flow initiated hepatocyte proliferation in a duration- and amplitude-dependent manner. Mechanistically, flow enhanced β1 integrin expression and nuclear translocation of YAP (yes-associated protein), via the Hippo pathway, to stimulate hepatocytes to re-enter the cell cycle. Conclusions Hepatocyte proliferation was initiated after direct exposure to interstitial flow ex vivo or shear stress in vitro, which provides new insights into the contributions of mechanical forces to liver regeneration. Impact and implications By using both ex vivo liver perfusion and in vitro flow exposure tests, we identified the roles of interstitial flow in the space of Disse in stimulating hepatocytes to re-enter the cell cycle. We found an increase in shear flow-induced hepatocyte proliferation via β1 integrin-YAP mechanotransductive pathways. This serves as a useful model to potentiate hepatocyte expansion in vitro using mechanical forces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Shu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziliang Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Du
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyuan Lü
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shouqin Lü
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ferrari E, Monti E, Cerutti C, Visone R, Occhetta P, Griffith LG, Rasponi M. A method to generate perfusable physiologic-like vascular channels within a liver-on-chip model. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:064103. [PMID: 38058462 PMCID: PMC10697721 DOI: 10.1063/5.0170606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The human vasculature is essential in organs and tissues for the transport of nutrients, metabolic waste products, and the maintenance of homeostasis. The integration of vessels in in vitro organs-on-chip may, therefore, improve the similarity to the native organ microenvironment, ensuring proper physiological functions and reducing the gap between experimental research and clinical outcomes. This gap is particularly evident in drug testing and the use of vascularized models may provide more realistic insights into human responses to drugs in the pre-clinical phases of the drug development pipeline. In this context, different vascularized liver models have been developed to recapitulate the architecture of the hepatic sinusoid, exploiting either porous membranes or bioprinting techniques. In this work, we developed a method to generate perfusable vascular channels with a circular cross section within organs-on-chip without any interposing material between the parenchyma and the surrounding environment. Through this technique, vascularized liver sinusoid-on-chip systems with and without the inclusion of the space of Disse were designed and developed. The recapitulation of the Disse layer, therefore, a gap between hepatocytes and endothelial cells physiologically present in the native liver milieu, seems to enhance hepatic functionality (e.g., albumin production) compared to when hepatocytes are in close contact with endothelial cells. These findings pave the way to numerous further uses of microfluidic technologies coupled with vascularized tissue models (e.g., immune system perfusion) as well as the integration within multiorgan-on-chip settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - E. Monti
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, via Camillo Golgi 39, 20134 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - C. Cerutti
- Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, via Adamello 16, 20139 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - R. Visone
- BiomimX Srl, viale Decumano 41, 20157 Milano (MI), Italy
| | | | - L. G. Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - M. Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, via Camillo Golgi 39, 20134 Milano (MI), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Roser LA, Luckhardt S, Ziegler N, Thomas D, Wagner PV, Damm G, Scheffschick A, Hewitt P, Parnham MJ, Schiffmann S. Immuno-inflammatory in vitro hepatotoxicity models to assess side effects of biologicals exemplified by aldesleukin. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275368. [PMID: 38045689 PMCID: PMC10693457 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatotoxicity induced by immunotherapeutics is an appearing cause for immune-mediated drug-induced liver injury. Such immuno-toxic mechanisms are difficult to assess using current preclinical models and the incidence is too low to detect in clinical trials. As hepatotoxicity is a frequent reason for post-authorisation drug withdrawal, there is an urgent need for immuno-inflammatory in vitro models to assess the hepatotoxic potential of immuno-modulatory drug candidates. We developed several immuno-inflammatory hepatotoxicity test systems based on recombinant human interleukin-2 (aldesleukin). Methods Co-culture models of primary human CD8+ T cells or NK cells with the hepatocyte cell line HepaRG were established and validated with primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). Subsequently, the HepaRG model was refined by increasing complexity by inclusion of monocyte-derived macrophages (MdMs). The main readouts were cytotoxicity, inflammatory mediator release, surface marker expression and specific hepatocyte functions. Results We identified CD8+ T cells as possible mediators of aldesleukin-mediated hepatotoxicity, with MdMs being implicated in increased aldesleukin-induced inflammatory effects. In co-cultures of CD8+ T cells with MdMs and HepaRG cells, cytotoxicity was induced at intermediate/high aldesleukin concentrations and perforin was upregulated. A pro-inflammatory milieu was created measured by interleukin-6 (IL-6), c-reactive protein (CRP), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) increase. NK cells responded to aldesleukin, however, only minor aldesleukin-induced cytotoxic effects were measured in co-cultures. Results obtained with HepaRG cells and with PHHs were comparable, especially regarding cytotoxicity, but high inter-donor variations limited meaningfulness of the PHH model. Discussion The in vitro test systems developed contribute to the understanding of potential key mechanisms in aldesleukin-mediated hepatotoxicity. In addition, they may aid assessment of immune-mediated hepatotoxicity during the development of novel immunotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luise A. Roser
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sonja Luckhardt
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nicole Ziegler
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dominique Thomas
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pia Viktoria Wagner
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrea Scheffschick
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philip Hewitt
- Chemical and Preclinical Safety, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michael J. Parnham
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- Department of Preclinical Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Felli E, Selicean S, Guixé-Muntet S, Wang C, Bosch J, Berzigotti A, Gracia-Sancho J. Mechanobiology of portal hypertension. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100869. [PMID: 37841641 PMCID: PMC10568428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between mechanical stimuli and cellular mechanobiology orchestrates the physiology of tissues and organs in a dynamic balance characterized by constant remodelling and adaptative processes. Environmental mechanical properties can be interpreted as a complex set of information and instructions that cells read continuously, and to which they respond. In cirrhosis, chronic inflammation and injury drive liver cells dysfunction, leading to excessive extracellular matrix deposition, sinusoidal pseudocapillarization, vascular occlusion and parenchymal extinction. These pathological events result in marked remodelling of the liver microarchitecture, which is cause and result of abnormal environmental mechanical forces, triggering and sustaining the long-standing and progressive process of liver fibrosis. Multiple mechanical forces such as strain, shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure can converge at different stages of the disease until reaching a point of no return where the fibrosis is considered non-reversible. Thereafter, reciprocal communication between cells and their niches becomes the driving force for disease progression. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that, rather than being a passive consequence of fibrosis and portal hypertension (PH), mechanical force-mediated pathways could themselves represent strategic targets for novel therapeutic approaches. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanobiology of PH, by furnishing an introduction on the most important mechanisms, integrating these concepts into a discussion on the pathogenesis of PH, and exploring potential therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Felli
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Selicean
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Shinohara M, Lau QY, Torizal FG, Choi H, Sakai Y. Inflammatory liver tissue formation using oxygen permeable membrane based culture platform. J Biosci Bioeng 2023; 136:327-333. [PMID: 37573250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
During chronic liver injury, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, particularly due to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The involvement of inflammatory cytokines in HSC activation and the interplay among different liver cells are elaborated. To examine their interactions in vitro, many cultured liver tissue models are performed in organoid or spheroid culture with random 3D structure. Herein, we demonstrated the hierarchical coculture of primary rat hepatocytes with non-parenchymal cells such as the human-derived HSC line (LX-2) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cell line (TMNK-1). The cocultured tissue had high usability with simple operation of separating solid and liquid phases with improved liver functions such as albumin production and hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 activity. We also studied the effects of stimulation by both oxygen tension and the key pro-fibrogenic cytokine, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), on HSC activation. Gene expression of collagen type I and alpha-smooth muscle actin were enhanced in the hierarchical coculture under lower oxygen tension and TGF-β1 stimulation. Therefore, this hierarchical in vitro cocultured liver tissue could provide a useful platform as a disease model for elucidating the interactions of various liver cell types and biochemical signals in future liver fibrogenesis studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Shinohara
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
| | - Qiao You Lau
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Fuad Gandhi Torizal
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hyunjin Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Juste-Lanas Y, Hervas-Raluy S, García-Aznar JM, González-Loyola A. Fluid flow to mimic organ function in 3D in vitro models. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:031501. [PMID: 37547671 PMCID: PMC10404142 DOI: 10.1063/5.0146000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many different strategies can be found in the literature to model organ physiology, tissue functionality, and disease in vitro; however, most of these models lack the physiological fluid dynamics present in vivo. Here, we highlight the importance of fluid flow for tissue homeostasis, specifically in vessels, other lumen structures, and interstitium, to point out the need of perfusion in current 3D in vitro models. Importantly, the advantages and limitations of the different current experimental fluid-flow setups are discussed. Finally, we shed light on current challenges and future focus of fluid flow models applied to the newest bioengineering state-of-the-art platforms, such as organoids and organ-on-a-chip, as the most sophisticated and physiological preclinical platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Hervas-Raluy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Research Institute of Aragón (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Liu T, Ge Y, Chen Z, Wu L, Tian T, Yao W, Zhao J. Synergistic Modulation of a Tunable Microenvironment to Fabricate a Liver Fibrosis Chip for Drug Testing. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:4893-4906. [PMID: 37523767 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progressive physiological change that occurs after liver injury and seriously endangers human health. The lack of reliable and physiologically relevant pathological models of liver fibrosis leads to a longer drug development period and sizeable economic investment. The fabrication of a biomimetic liver-on-a-chip is significant for liver disease treatment and drug development. Here, a sandwich chip with a microwell array structure in its bottom layer was fabricated to simulate the Disse space structure of hepatic sinusoids in vitro. By synergistic modulation of the cross-linking degree of gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels and the induction of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), the early and late stages of liver fibrosis were designed in the chip. Owing to its three-dimensional-mixed-culture strategy, it was possible to construct a liver sinusoid model in vitro to allow for faithful physiological emulation. The model was further subjected to drug treatment, and it presented a significant difference in treatment response in early and late fibrosis progression. Our system provides a unique method for emulating liver function through a vitro liver fibrosis-on-a-chip, potentially paving the way for investigating human liver fibrosis and related drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
- Xiangfu Laboratory, Jiashan 314102, P. R. China
| | - Yuqing Ge
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
| | - Zhongping Chen
- Institute of Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
| | - Tian Tian
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
| | - Wei Yao
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
| | - Jianlong Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Maji S, Lee M, Lee J, Lee J, Lee H. Development of lumen-based perfusable 3D liver in vitro model using single-step bioprinting with composite bioinks. Mater Today Bio 2023; 21:100723. [PMID: 37502830 PMCID: PMC10368928 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic sinusoids are uniquely organized structures that help maintain a spectrum of hepatic functions. Although several in vitro liver models have been developed to replicate liver sinusoids, most of these platforms require complex, multi-step fabrication methods making it difficult to achieve truly three-dimensional (3D) channel geometries. In this study, a single-step bioprinting technique was demonstrated to simultaneously print a chip platform and develop a perfusable vascularized liver sinusoid in vitro model. The integrated system uses a co-axial-based bioprinting approach to develop a liver sinusoid-like model that consists of a sacrificial core compartment containing a perfusable pre-vascular structure and an alginate-collagen-based shell compartment containing hepatocytes. The lumen-based perfusable 3D liver sinusoid-on-a-chip (LSOC-P) demonstrated significantly better hepatocyte viability, proliferation, and liver-specific gene and protein expression compared to a 3D hepatocyte-based core/shell model with static media and the standard hepatocyte-based 2D sandwich culture system. A drug toxicity evaluation of hepatotoxins highlighted the comparatively higher sensitivity of the LSOC system with a close estimation of the therapeutic range of safe drug concentrations for humans. In conclusion, the current findings indicate that the combinatorial single-step co-axial bioprinting technique is a promising fabrication approach for the development of a perfusable LSOC platform for drug screening applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Maji
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyoung Lee
- Department of Animal Industry Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Smart Health Science and Technology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooyoung Lee
- Department of Smart Health Science and Technology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehee Lee
- Department of Smart Health Science and Technology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungseok Lee
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Smart Health Science and Technology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kutluk H, Bastounis EE, Constantinou I. Integration of Extracellular Matrices into Organ-on-Chip Systems. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203256. [PMID: 37018430 PMCID: PMC11468608 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network present within all tissues and organs that not only acts as a mechanical support and anchorage point but can also direct fundamental cell behavior, function, and characteristics. Although the importance of the ECM is well established, the integration of well-controlled ECMs into Organ-on-Chip (OoC) platforms remains challenging and the methods to modulate and assess ECM properties on OoCs remain underdeveloped. In this review, current state-of-the-art design and assessment of in vitro ECM environments is discussed with a focus on their integration into OoCs. Among other things, synthetic and natural hydrogels, as well as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) used as substrates, coatings, or cell culture membranes are reviewed in terms of their ability to mimic the native ECM and their accessibility for characterization. The intricate interplay among materials, OoC architecture, and ECM characterization is critically discussed as it significantly complicates the design of ECM-related studies, comparability between works, and reproducibility that can be achieved across research laboratories. Improving the biomimetic nature of OoCs by integrating properly considered ECMs would contribute to their further adoption as replacements for animal models, and precisely tailored ECM properties would promote the use of OoCs in mechanobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hazal Kutluk
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT)Technical University of BraunschweigAlte Salzdahlumer Str. 20338124BraunschweigGermany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ)Technical University of BraunschweigFranz‐Liszt‐Str. 35a38106BraunschweigGermany
| | - Effie E. Bastounis
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine (IMIT)Eberhard Karls University of TübingenAuf der Morgenstelle 28, E872076TübingenGermany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” EXC 2124Eberhard Karls University of TübingenAuf der Morgenstelle 2872076TübingenGermany
| | - Iordania Constantinou
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT)Technical University of BraunschweigAlte Salzdahlumer Str. 20338124BraunschweigGermany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ)Technical University of BraunschweigFranz‐Liszt‐Str. 35a38106BraunschweigGermany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Otumala AE, Hellen DJ, Luna CA, Delgado P, Dissanayaka A, Ugwumadu C, Oshinowo O, Islam MM, Shen L, Karpen SJ, Myers DR. Opportunities and considerations for studying liver disease with microphysiological systems on a chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2877-2898. [PMID: 37282629 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00940d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Advances in microsystem engineering have enabled the development of highly controlled models of the liver that better recapitulate the unique in vivo biological conditions. In just a few short years, substantial progress has been made in creating complex mono- and multi-cellular models that mimic key metabolic, structural, and oxygen gradients crucial for liver function. Here we review: 1) the state-of-the-art in liver-centric microphysiological systems and 2) the array of liver diseases and pressing biological and therapeutic challenges which could be investigated with these systems. The engineering community has unique opportunities to innovate with new liver-on-a-chip devices and partner with biomedical researchers to usher in a new era of understanding of the molecular and cellular contributors to liver diseases and identify and test rational therapeutic modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adiya E Otumala
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dominick J Hellen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - C Alessandra Luna
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Priscilla Delgado
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anjana Dissanayaka
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chidozie Ugwumadu
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Oluwamayokun Oshinowo
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Md Mydul Islam
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Luyao Shen
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Saul J Karpen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David R Myers
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li S, Li C, Khan MI, Liu J, Shi Z, Gao D, Qiu B, Ding W. Microneedle array facilitates hepatic sinusoid construction in a large-scale liver-acinus-chip microsystem. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:75. [PMID: 37303831 PMCID: PMC10247758 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00544-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic sinusoids play a key role in maintaining high activities of liver cells in the hepatic acinus. However, the construction of hepatic sinusoids has always been a challenge for liver chips, especially for large-scale liver microsystems. Herein, we report an approach for the construction of hepatic sinusoids. In this approach, hepatic sinusoids are formed by demolding a self-developed microneedle array from a photocurable cell-loaded matrix in a large-scale liver-acinus-chip microsystem with a designed dual blood supply. Primary sinusoids formed by demolded microneedles and spontaneously self-organized secondary sinusoids can be clearly observed. Benefiting from significantly enhanced interstitial flows by formed hepatic sinusoids, cell viability is witnessed to be considerably high, liver microstructure formation occurs, and hepatocyte metabolism is enhanced. In addition, this study preliminarily demonstrates the effects of the resulting oxygen and glucose gradients on hepatocyte functions and the application of the chip in drug testing. This work paves the way for the biofabrication of fully functionalized large-scale liver bioreactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shibo Li
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027 China
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001 China
| | - Chengpan Li
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027 China
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027 China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, Anhui 230601 China
| | - Zhengdi Shi
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027 China
| | - Dayong Gao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027 China
| | - Weiping Ding
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001 China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang Y, Gao Y, Pan Y, Zhou D, Liu Y, Yin Y, Yang J, Wang Y, Song Y. Emerging trends in organ-on-a-chip systems for drug screening. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:2483-2509. [PMID: 37425038 PMCID: PMC10326261 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
New drug discovery is under growing pressure to satisfy the demand from a wide range of domains, especially from the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare services. Assessment of drug efficacy and safety prior to human clinical trials is a crucial part of drug development, which deserves greater emphasis to reduce the cost and time in drug discovery. Recent advances in microfabrication and tissue engineering have given rise to organ-on-a-chip, an in vitro model capable of recapitulating human organ functions in vivo and providing insight into disease pathophysiology, which offers a potential alternative to animal models for more efficient pre-clinical screening of drug candidates. In this review, we first give a snapshot of general considerations for organ-on-a-chip device design. Then, we comprehensively review the recent advances in organ-on-a-chip for drug screening. Finally, we summarize some key challenges of the progress in this field and discuss future prospects of organ-on-a-chip development. Overall, this review highlights the new avenue that organ-on-a-chip opens for drug development, therapeutic innovation, and precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Wang
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Sino-French Engineer School, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yongchun Pan
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dongtao Zhou
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuta Liu
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yi Yin
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingjing Yang
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuzhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics & Institute of Advanced Materials, Jiangsu National Synergistic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yujun Song
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Stern S, Wang H, Sadrieh N. Microphysiological Models for Mechanistic-Based Prediction of Idiosyncratic DILI. Cells 2023; 12:1476. [PMID: 37296597 PMCID: PMC10253021 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major contributor to high attrition rates among candidate and market drugs and a key regulatory, industry, and global health concern. While acute and dose-dependent DILI, namely, intrinsic DILI, is predictable and often reproducible in preclinical models, the nature of idiosyncratic DILI (iDILI) limits its mechanistic understanding due to the complex disease pathogenesis, and recapitulation using in vitro and in vivo models is extremely challenging. However, hepatic inflammation is a key feature of iDILI primarily orchestrated by the innate and adaptive immune system. This review summarizes the in vitro co-culture models that exploit the role of the immune system to investigate iDILI. Particularly, this review focuses on advancements in human-based 3D multicellular models attempting to supplement in vivo models that often lack predictability and display interspecies variations. Exploiting the immune-mediated mechanisms of iDILI, the inclusion of non-parenchymal cells in these hepatoxicity models, namely, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, dendritic cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, introduces heterotypic cell-cell interactions and mimics the hepatic microenvironment. Additionally, drugs recalled from the market in the US between 1996-2010 that were studies in these various models highlight the necessity for further harmonization and comparison of model characteristics. Challenges regarding disease-related endpoints, mimicking 3D architecture with different cell-cell contact, cell source, and the underlying multi-cellular and multi-stage mechanisms are described. It is our belief that progressing our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of iDILI will provide mechanistic clues and a method for drug safety screening to better predict liver injury in clinical trials and post-marketing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Stern
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Hongbing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Nakissa Sadrieh
- Office of New Drugs, Center of Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA, 10903 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Takagi M, Yamada M, Utoh R, Seki M. A multiscale, vertical-flow perfusion system with integrated porous microchambers for upgrading multicellular spheroid culture. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2257-2267. [PMID: 37038847 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00168g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Spheroid formation assisted by microengineered chambers is a versatile approach for morphology-controlled three-dimensional (3D) cell cultivation with physiological relevance to human tissues. However, the limitation in diffusion-based oxygen/nutrient transport has been a critical issue for the densely packed cells in spheroids, preventing maximization of cellular functions and thus limiting their biomedical applications. Here, we have developed a multiscale microfluidic system for the perfusion culture of spheroids, in which porous microchambers, connected with microfluidic channels, were engineered. A newly developed process of centrifugation-assisted replica molding and salt-leaching enabled the formation of single micrometer-sized pores on the chamber surface and in the substrate. The porous configuration generates a vertical flow to directly supply the medium to the spheroids, while avoiding the formation of stagnant flow regions. We created seamlessly integrated, all PDMS/silicone-based microfluidic devices with an array of microchambers. Spheroids of human liver cells (HepG2 cells) were formed and cultured under vertical-flow perfusion, and the proliferation ability and liver cell-specific functions were compared with those of cells cultured in non-porous chambers with a horizontal flow. The presented system realizes both size-controlled formation of spheroids and direct medium supply, making it suitable as a precision cell culture platform for drug development, disease modelling, and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mai Takagi
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Masumi Yamada
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Rie Utoh
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Minoru Seki
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ma Y, Hu L, Tang J, Guo W, Feng Y, Liu Y, Tang F. Three-Dimensional Cell Co-Culture Liver Models and Their Applications in Pharmaceutical Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076248. [PMID: 37047220 PMCID: PMC10094553 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As the primary site for the biotransformation of drugs, the liver is the most focused on organ type in pharmaceutical research. However, despite being widely used in pharmaceutical research, animal models have inherent species differences, while two-dimensional (2D) liver cell monocultures or co-cultures and three-dimensional (3D) liver cell monoculture in vitro liver models do not sufficiently represent the complexity of the human liver’s structure and function, making the evaluation results from these tools less reliable. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop more representative in vitro liver models for pharmaceutical research. Fortunately, an exciting new development in recent years has been the emergence of 3D liver cell co-culture models. These models hold great promise as in vitro pharmaceutical research tools, because they can reproduce liver structure and function more practically. This review begins by explaining the structure and main cell composition of the liver, before introducing the potential advantages of 3D cell co-culture liver models for pharmaceutical research. We also discuss the main sources of hepatocytes and the 3D cell co-culture methods used in constructing these models. In addition, we explore the applications of 3D cell co-culture liver models with different functional states and suggest prospects for their further development.
Collapse
|
35
|
Yang J, Hirai Y, Iida K, Ito S, Trumm M, Terada S, Sakai R, Tsuchiya T, Tabata O, Kamei KI. Integrated-gut-liver-on-a-chip platform as an in vitro human model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Commun Biol 2023; 6:310. [PMID: 36959276 PMCID: PMC10036655 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) afflicts a significant percentage of the population; however, no effective treatments have yet been established because of the unsuitability of in vitro assays and animal experimental models. Here, we present an integrated-gut-liver-on-a-chip (iGLC) platform as an in vitro human model of the gut-liver axis (GLA) by co-culturing human gut and liver cell lines interconnected via microfluidics in a closed circulation loop, for the initiation and progression of NAFLD by treatment with free fatty acids (FFAs) for 1 and 7 days, respectively. Co-cultured Caco-2 gut-mimicking cells and HepG2 hepatocyte-like cells demonstrate the protective effects from apoptosis against FFAs treatment, whereas mono-cultured cells exhibit induced apoptosis. Phenotype and gene expression analyses reveal that the FFAs-treated gut and liver cells accumulated intracellular lipid droplets and show an increase in gene expression associated with a cellular response to copper ions and endoplasmic reticulum stress. As an in vitro human GLA model, the iGLC platform may serve as an alternative to animal experiments for investigating the mechanisms of NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiandong Yang
- Department of Micro Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Hirai
- Department of Micro Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan.
| | - Kei Iida
- Medical Research Support Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka, 577-8502, Japan
| | - Shinji Ito
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka, 577-8502, Japan
| | - Marika Trumm
- Department of Micro Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Shiho Terada
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Risako Sakai
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Tsuchiya
- Department of Micro Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
| | - Osamu Tabata
- Department of Micro Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
- Faculty of Engineering/Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Gotanda-cho, Yamanouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8577, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Kamei
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Liaoning, China.
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Liaoning, China.
- Programs of Biology and Bioengineering, Divisions of Science and Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Monteduro AG, Rizzato S, Caragnano G, Trapani A, Giannelli G, Maruccio G. Organs-on-chips technologies – A guide from disease models to opportunities for drug development. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 231:115271. [PMID: 37060819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Current in-vitro 2D cultures and animal models present severe limitations in recapitulating human physiopathology with striking discrepancies in estimating drug efficacy and side effects when compared to human trials. For these reasons, microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip and multiorgans microdevices attracted considerable attention as novel tools for high-throughput and high-content research to achieve an improved understanding of diseases and to accelerate the drug development process towards more precise and eventually personalized standards. This review takes the form of a guide on this fast-growing field, providing useful introduction to major themes and indications for further readings. We start analyzing Organs-on-chips (OOC) technologies for testing the major drug administration routes: (1) oral/rectal route by intestine-on-a-chip, (2) inhalation by lung-on-a-chip, (3) transdermal by skin-on-a-chip and (4) intravenous through vascularization models, considering how drugs penetrate in the bloodstream and are conveyed to their targets. Then, we focus on OOC models for (other) specific organs and diseases: (1) neurodegenerative diseases with brain models and blood brain barriers, (2) tumor models including their vascularization, organoids/spheroids, engineering and screening of antitumor drugs, (3) liver/kidney on chips and multiorgan models for gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic assessment of drugs and (4) biomechanical systems recapitulating heart, muscles and bones structures and related diseases. Successively, we discuss technologies and materials for organ on chips, analyzing (1) microfluidic tools for organs-on-chips, (2) sensor integration for real-time monitoring, (3) materials and (4) cell lines for organs on chips. (Nano)delivery approaches for therapeutics and their on chip assessment are also described. Finally, we conclude with a critical discussion on current significance/relevance, trends, limitations, challenges and future prospects in terms of revolutionary impact on biomedical research, preclinical models and drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grazia Monteduro
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Silvia Rizzato
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giusi Caragnano
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Adriana Trapani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maruccio
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Qiu L, Kong B, Kong T, Wang H. Recent advances in liver-on-chips: Design, fabrication, and applications. SMART MEDICINE 2023; 2:e20220010. [PMID: 39188562 PMCID: PMC11235950 DOI: 10.1002/smmd.20220010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
The liver is a multifunctional organ and the metabolic center of the human body. Most drugs and toxins are metabolized in the liver, resulting in varying degrees of hepatotoxicity. The damage of liver will seriously affect human health, so it is very important to study the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. At present, there are many research studies in this field. However, most of them are based on animal models, which are limited by the time-consuming processes and species difference between human and animals. In recent years, liver-on-chips have emerged and developed rapidly and are expected to replace animal models. Liver-on-chips refer to the use of a small number of liver cells on the chips to simulate the liver microenvironment and ultrastructure in vivo. They hold extensive applications in multiple fields by reproducing the unique physiological functions of the liver in vitro. In this review, we first introduced the physiology and pathology of liver and then described the cell system of liver-on-chips, the chip-based liver models, and the applications of liver-on-chips in liver transplantation, drug screening, and metabolic evaluation. Finally, we discussed the currently encountered challenges and future trends in liver-on-chips.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linjie Qiu
- The Eighth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
- School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Bin Kong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound ImagingDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineShenzhen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Tiantian Kong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound ImagingDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineShenzhen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Huan Wang
- The Eighth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kaur I, Vasudevan A, Rawal P, Tripathi DM, Ramakrishna S, Kaur S, Sarin SK. Primary Hepatocyte Isolation and Cultures: Technical Aspects, Challenges and Advancements. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:131. [PMID: 36829625 PMCID: PMC9952008 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocytes are differentiated cells that account for 80% of the hepatic volume and perform all major functions of the liver. In vivo, after an acute insult, adult hepatocytes retain their ability to proliferate and participate in liver regeneration. However, in vitro, prolonged culture and proliferation of viable and functional primary hepatocytes have remained the major and the most challenging goal of hepatocyte-based cell therapies and liver tissue engineering. The first functional cultures of rat primary hepatocytes between two layers of collagen gel, also termed as the "sandwich cultures", were reported in 1989. Since this study, several technical developments including choice of hydrogels, type of microenvironment, growth factors and culture conditions, mono or co-cultures of hepatocytes along with other supporting cell types have evolved for both rat and human primary hepatocytes in recent years. All these improvements have led to a substantial improvement in the number, life-span and hepatic functions of these cells in vitro for several downstream applications. In the current review, we highlight the details, limitations and prospects of different technical strategies being used in primary hepatocyte cultures. We discuss the use of newer biomaterials as scaffolds for efficient culture of primary hepatocytes. We also describe the derivation of mature hepatocytes from other cellular sources such as induced pluripotent stem cells, bone marrow stem cells and 3D liver organoids. Finally, we also explain the use of perfusion-based bioreactor systems and bioengineering strategies to support the long-term function of hepatocytes in 3D conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Impreet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Ashwini Vasudevan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201312, India
| | - Dinesh M. Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117581, Singapore
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Shiv K. Sarin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Chawla S, Das A. Preclinical-to-clinical innovations in stem cell therapies for liver regeneration. Curr Res Transl Med 2023; 71:103365. [PMID: 36427419 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2022.103365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute and chronic liver diseases are the major cause of high morbidity and mortality globally. Liver transplantation is a widely used therapeutic option for liver failure. However, the shortage of availability of liver donors has encouraged research on the alternative approach to liver regeneration. Cell-based regenerative medicine is the best alternative therapy to cater to this need. To date, advanced preclinical approaches have been undertaken on stem cell differentiation and their use in liver tissue engineering for generating efficacious and promising regenerative therapies. Advancements in the bioengineering of stem cells, and organoid generation are the way forward to efficient therapies against liver injury. This review summarizes the recent approaches for stem cell therapy-based liver regeneration and their proof of concepts for clinical application, bioengineering liver organoids to alleviate the liver failure caused due to chronic liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Chawla
- Department of Applied Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, TS 500 007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP 201 002, India
| | - Amitava Das
- Department of Applied Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, TS 500 007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, UP 201 002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Effects of tannic acid on liver function in a small hepatocyte–based detachable microfluidic platform. Biochem Eng J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
41
|
Zhao W, Yao Y, Zhang T, Lu H, Zhang X, Zhao L, Chen X, Zhu J, Sui G, Zhao W. Primary exploration of host-microorganism interaction and enteritis treatment with an embedded membrane microfluidic chip of the human intestinal-vascular microsystem. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1035647. [PMID: 36561041 PMCID: PMC9763581 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1035647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal flora plays a crucial role in the host's intestinal health. Imbalances in the intestinal flora, when accompanied by inflammation, affect the host's intestinal barrier function. Understanding it requires studying how living cells and tissues work in the context of living organs, but it is difficult to form the three-dimensional microstructure intestinal-vascular system by monolayer cell or co-culture cell models, and animal models are costly and slow. The use of microfluidic-based organ chips is a fast, simple, and high-throughput method that not only solves the affinity problem of animal models but the lack of microstructure problem of monolayer cells. In this study, we designed an embedded membrane chip to generate an in vitro gut-on-a-chip model. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and Caco-2 were cultured in the upper and lower layers of the culture chambers in the microfluidic chip, respectively. The human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were infused into the capillary side at a constant rate using an external pump to simulate the in vitro immune system and the shear stress of blood in vivo. The model exhibited intestine morphology and function after only 5 days of culture, which is significantly less than the 21 days required for static culture in the Transwell® chamber. Furthermore, it was observed that drug-resistant bacteria triggered barrier function impairment and inflammation, resulting in enteritis, whereas probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) improved only partially. The use of Amikacin for enteritis is effective, whereas other antibiotic therapies do not work, which are consistent with clinical test results. This model may be used to explore intestinal ecology, host and intestinal flora interactions, and medication assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhan Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijun Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinlian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Shanghai Changhai Hospital Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhui Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guodong Sui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wang Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kaur S, Kidambi S, Ortega-Ribera M, Thuy LTT, Nieto N, Cogger VC, Xie WF, Tacke F, Gracia-Sancho J. In Vitro Models for the Study of Liver Biology and Diseases: Advances and Limitations. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:559-571. [PMID: 36442812 PMCID: PMC9868680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In vitro models of liver (patho)physiology, new technologies, and experimental approaches are progressing rapidly. Based on cell lines, induced pluripotent stem cells or primary cells derived from mouse or human liver as well as whole tissue (slices), such in vitro single- and multicellular models, including complex microfluidic organ-on-a-chip systems, provide tools to functionally understand mechanisms of liver health and disease. The International Society of Hepatic Sinusoidal Research (ISHSR) commissioned this working group to review the currently available in vitro liver models and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each in the context of evaluating their use for the study of liver functionality, disease modeling, therapeutic discovery, and clinical applicability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Srivatsan Kidambi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
| | - Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Le Thi Thanh Thuy
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Natalia Nieto
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victoria C Cogger
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wei-Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Casas B, Vilén L, Bauer S, Kanebratt KP, Wennberg Huldt C, Magnusson L, Marx U, Andersson TB, Gennemark P, Cedersund G. Integrated experimental-computational analysis of a HepaRG liver-islet microphysiological system for human-centric diabetes research. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010587. [PMID: 36260620 PMCID: PMC9621595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPS) are powerful tools for emulating human physiology and replicating disease progression in vitro. MPS could be better predictors of human outcome than current animal models, but mechanistic interpretation and in vivo extrapolation of the experimental results remain significant challenges. Here, we address these challenges using an integrated experimental-computational approach. This approach allows for in silico representation and predictions of glucose metabolism in a previously reported MPS with two organ compartments (liver and pancreas) connected in a closed loop with circulating medium. We developed a computational model describing glucose metabolism over 15 days of culture in the MPS. The model was calibrated on an experiment-specific basis using data from seven experiments, where HepaRG single-liver or liver-islet cultures were exposed to both normal and hyperglycemic conditions resembling high blood glucose levels in diabetes. The calibrated models reproduced the fast (i.e. hourly) variations in glucose and insulin observed in the MPS experiments, as well as the long-term (i.e. over weeks) decline in both glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. We also investigated the behaviour of the system under hypoglycemia by simulating this condition in silico, and the model could correctly predict the glucose and insulin responses measured in new MPS experiments. Last, we used the computational model to translate the experimental results to humans, showing good agreement with published data of the glucose response to a meal in healthy subjects. The integrated experimental-computational framework opens new avenues for future investigations toward disease mechanisms and the development of new therapies for metabolic disorders. Microphysiological systems (MPS) are powerful tools to unravel biological knowledge underlying disease. MPS provide a physiologically relevant, human-based in vitro setting, which can potentially yield better translatability to humans than current animal models and traditional cell cultures. However, mechanistic interpretation and extrapolation of the experimental results to human outcome remain significant challenges. In this study, we confront these challenges using an integrated experimental-computational approach. We present a computational model describing glucose metabolism in a previously reported MPS integrating liver and pancreas. This MPS supports a homeostatic feedback loop between HepaRG/HHSteC spheroids and pancreatic islets, and allows for detailed investigations of mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes in humans. We show that the computational model captures the complex dynamics of glucose-insulin regulation observed in the system, and can provide mechanistic insight into disease progression features, such as insulin resistance and β-cell dynamics. Furthermore, the computational model can explain key differences in temporal dynamics between MPS and human responses, and thus provides a tool for translating experimental insights into human outcome. The integrated experimental-computational framework opens new avenues for future investigations toward disease mechanisms and the development of new therapies for metabolic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belén Casas
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Liisa Vilén
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Kajsa P. Kanebratt
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Wennberg Huldt
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lisa Magnusson
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Tommy B. Andersson
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Gennemark
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Cedersund
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hao Y, Lü S, Li W, Long M, Cui Y. Biphasic flow dynamics and polarized mass transportation in branched hepatic sinusoids. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:054110. [PMID: 36313188 PMCID: PMC9616607 DOI: 10.1063/5.0100911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In fatty liver diseases, such as liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis, blood flow in hepatic sinusoids, an elementary building block of the liver lobule, tends to bypass through collateral vessels inside sinusoids and presents distinct sinusoidal flows compared to normal physiological flows. It remains unclear in those flow characteristics in branched sinusoids and the correlation of pathological flows with liver lesions, mainly due to the difficulty of direct hemodynamics measurements in the sinusoids. Here, we developed a dual-branched theoretical model of hepatic sinusoidal flow to elucidate the relevant flow dynamics and mass transport. Numerical simulations, based on the lattice Boltzmann method, indicated that the flow velocity distribution in hepatic sinusoids is mainly dominated by endothelium permeability and presents a non-monotonic variation with the permeability at the fusion segment of these branched sinusoids. Flow-induced shear stress on the endothelium at the side of the Disse space exhibited a biphasic pattern, yielding a low shear stress region at the junctional site. Meanwhile, a highly polarized distribution of lipoproteins concentration was also presented at the low shear stress region, indicating a localized accumulation of typical hepatic serum proteins. Thus, this work provides the basic understanding of blood flow features and mass transport regulations in branched hepatic sinusoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinjing Hao
- Department of Mechanics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | | | | | - Mian Long
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed:, Tel.: +86 10 8254 4131, Fax:+86 10 8254 4131 and , Tel.: +86 22 27404934, Fax:+86 22 27404934
| | - Yuhong Cui
- Department of Mechanics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Liu M, Xiang Y, Yang Y, Long X, Xiao Z, Nan Y, Jiang Y, Qiu Y, Huang Q, Ai K. State-of-the-art advancements in Liver-on-a-chip (LOC): Integrated biosensors for LOC. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 218:114758. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
46
|
Sugiura S, Satoh T, Shin K, Onuki-Nagasaki R, Kanamori T. Perfusion culture of multi-layered HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a pressure-driven microphysiological system. J Biosci Bioeng 2022; 134:348-355. [PMID: 35963667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Here we report the perfusion culture of a multi-layered tissue composed of HepG2 cells (a human hepatoma line) in a pressure-driven microphysiological system (PD-MPS), which we developed previously as a multi-throughput perfusion culture platform. The perfusion culture of multi-layered tissue model was constructed by inserting a modified commercially available permeable membrane insert into the PD-MPS. HepG2 cells were layered on the membrane, and culture medium was perfused both through and below the membrane. The seeded density (number of cells/cm2) of the culture model is 70 times that of static culture in a conventional 35-mm culture dish. Pressure-driven circulation of the medium in our compact device (8.6 × 7.0 × 4.5 cm3), which comprised two perfusion-culture modules and a pneumatic connection port, enabled perfusion culture of two multi-layered tissues (initially 1 × 105 cells). To obtain insight into the basic functionality of the multi-layered tissues as hepatocytes, we compared albumin production and urea synthesis between perfusion cultures and static cultures. The HepG2 cells grew and secreted increasing amounts of albumin throughout 20 days of perfusion culture, whereas albumin secretion did not increase under static culture conditions. In addition, on day 20, the amount of albumin secreted by the HepG2 cells in the microfluidic device was 68% of that in the conventional culture dish, which was seeded with the same number of cells but had a 70 times larger culture area. These features of high-density culture of functioning cells in a compact device support the application of PD-MPS in single- and multi-organ MPS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Sugiura
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5th, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.
| | - Taku Satoh
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5th, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan; Stem Cell Evaluation Technology Research Association, Astellas Pharma, 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Kazumi Shin
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5th, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Reiko Onuki-Nagasaki
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5th, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan; Stem Cell Evaluation Technology Research Association, Astellas Pharma, 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Kanamori
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5th, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Yan J, Li Z, Guo J, Liu S, Guo J. Organ-on-a-chip: A new tool for in vitro research. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 216:114626. [PMID: 35969963 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC, organ chip) technology can closely simulate the human microenvironment, synthesize organ-like functional units on a fluidic chip substrate, and simulate the physiology of tissues and organs. It will become an increasingly important platform for in vitro drug development and screening. Most importantly, organ-on-a-chip technology, incorporating 3D cell cultures, overcomes the traditional drawbacks of 2D (flat) cell-culture technology in vitro and in vivo animal trials, neither of which generate completely reliable results when it comes to the actual human subject. It is expected that organ chips will allow huge reductions in the incidence of failure in late-stage human trials, thus slashing the cost of drug development and speeding up the introduction of drugs that are effective. There have been three key enabling technologies that have made organ chip technology possible: 3D bioprinting, fluidic chips, and 3D cell culture, of which the last has allowed cells to be cultivated under more physiologically realistic growth conditions than 2D culture. The fusion of these advanced technologies and the addition of new research methods and algorithms has enabled the construction of chip types with different structures and different uses, providing a wide range of controllable microenvironments, both for research at the cellular level and for more reliable analysis of the action of drugs on the human body. This paper summarizes some research progress of organ-on-a-chip in recent years, outlines the key technologies used and the achievements in drug screening, and makes some suggestions concerning the current challenges and future development of organ-on-a-chip technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiasheng Yan
- The M.O.E. Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, #1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziwei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fuling Central Hospital of Chongqing City, Chongqing, 408008, China
| | - Jiuchuan Guo
- The M.O.E. Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, #1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
| | - Shan Liu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Jinhong Guo
- The M.O.E. Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, #1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China; School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Liu J, Feng C, Zhang M, Song F, Liu H. Design and Fabrication of a Liver-on-a-chip Reconstructing Tissue-tissue Interfaces. Front Oncol 2022; 12:959299. [PMID: 35992870 PMCID: PMC9389071 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.959299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the rapid advances in the liver-on-a-chip platforms, it remains a daunting challenge to construct a biomimetic liver-on-a-chip for in vitro research. This study aimed to reconstruct the tissue-tissue interfaces based on bilayer microspheres and form vascularized liver tissue. Firstly, we designed a tri-vascular liver-on-a-chip (TVLOC) comprising a hepatic artery, a portal vein and a central vein, and theoretically analyzed the distribution of velocity and concentration fields in the culture area. Secondly, we designed a bilayer microsphere generating microsystem based on the coaxial confocal principle, which is primarily used to produce bilayer microspheres containing different kinds of cells. Finally, the bilayer microspheres were co-cultured with endothelial cells in the cell culture area of the TVLOC to form vascularized liver tissue, and the cell viability and vascular network growth were analyzed. The results revealed that the TVLOC designed in this study can provide a substance concentration gradient similar to that of the liver microenvironment, and the bilayer microspheres can form a three-dimensional (3D) orderly liver structure with endothelial cells. Such a liver-on-a-chip is capable of maintaining the function of hepatocytes (HCs) pretty well. This work provides full insights into further simulation of the liver-on-a-chip.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Chong Feng
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
- *Correspondence: Haochen Liu, ; Feng Song,
| | - Haochen Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Haochen Liu, ; Feng Song,
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Liver regeneration is a well-orchestrated process that is typically studied in animal models. Although previous animal studies have offered many insights into liver regeneration, human biology is less well understood. To this end, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) platform called structurally vascularized hepatic ensembles for analyzing regeneration (SHEAR) to model multiple aspects of human liver regeneration. SHEAR enables control over hemodynamic alterations to mimic those that occur during liver injury and regeneration and supports the administration of biochemical inputs such as cytokines and paracrine interactions with endothelial cells. We found that exposing the endothelium-lined channel to fluid flow led to increased secretion of regeneration-associated factors. Stimulation with relevant cytokines not only amplified the secretory response, but also induced cell-cycle entry of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) embedded within the device. Further, we identified endothelial-derived mediators that are sufficient to initiate proliferation of PHHs in this context. Collectively, the data presented here underscore the importance of multicellular models that can recapitulate high-level tissue functions and demonstrate that the SHEAR device can be used to discover and validate conditions that promote human liver regeneration.
Collapse
|
50
|
Li N, Zhang X, Zhou J, Li W, Shu X, Wu Y, Long M. Multiscale biomechanics and mechanotransduction from liver fibrosis to cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 188:114448. [PMID: 35820602 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of multiscale biomechanical studies has been proposed to highlight the mechanical cues in the development of hepatic fibrosis and cancer. At the cellular level, changes in mechanical microenvironment induce phenotypic and functional alterations of hepatic cells, initiating a positive feedback loop that promotes liver fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Tumor mechanical microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma facilitates tumor cell growth and metastasis, and hinders the drug delivery and immunotherapy. At the molecular level, mechanical forces are sensed and transmitted into hepatic cells via allosteric activation of mechanoreceptors on the cell membrane, leading to the activation of various mechanotransduction pathways including integrin and YAP signaling and then regulating cell function. Thus, the application of mechanomedicine concept in the treatment of liver diseases is promising for rational design and cell-specific delivery of therapeutic drugs. This review mainly discusses the correlation between biomechanical cues and liver diseases from the viewpoint of mechanobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wang Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyu Shu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|