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Carvalho MR, Yan LP, Li B, Zhang CH, He YL, Reis RL, Oliveira JM. Gastrointestinal organs and organoids-on-a-chip: advances and translation into the clinics. Biofabrication 2023; 15:042004. [PMID: 37699408 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acf8fb] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic organs and organoids-on-a-chip models of human gastrointestinal systems have been established to recreate adequate microenvironments to study physiology and pathophysiology. In the effort to find more emulating systems and less costly models for drugs screening or fundamental studies, gastrointestinal system organoids-on-a-chip have arisen as promising pre-clinicalin vitromodel. This progress has been built on the latest developments of several technologies such as bioprinting, microfluidics, and organoid research. In this review, we will focus on healthy and disease models of: human microbiome-on-a-chip and its rising correlation with gastro pathophysiology; stomach-on-a-chip; liver-on-a-chip; pancreas-on-a-chip; inflammation models, small intestine, colon and colorectal cancer organoids-on-a-chip and multi-organoids-on-a-chip. The current developments related to the design, ability to hold one or more 'organs' and its challenges, microfluidic features, cell sources and whether they are used to test drugs are overviewed herein. Importantly, their contribution in terms of drug development and eminent clinical translation in precision medicine field, Food and Drug Administration approved models, and the impact of organoid-on-chip technology in terms of pharmaceutical research and development costs are also discussed by the authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana R Carvalho
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Le-Ping Yan
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Li
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Hua Zhang
- Digestive Medicine Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Long He
- Digestive Medicine Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joaquim M Oliveira
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Connolly S, Newport D, McGourty K. The mechanical responses of advecting cells in confined flow. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:031501. [PMID: 32454924 PMCID: PMC7200165 DOI: 10.1063/5.0005154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Fluid dynamics have long influenced cells in suspension. Red blood cells and white blood cells are advected through biological microchannels in both the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems and, as a result, are subject to a wide variety of complex fluidic forces as they pass through. In vivo, microfluidic forces influence different biological processes such as the spreading of infection, cancer metastasis, and cell viability, highlighting the importance of fluid dynamics in the blood and lymphatic vessels. This suggests that in vitro devices carrying cell suspensions may influence the viability and functionality of cells. Lab-on-a-chip, flow cytometry, and cell therapies involve cell suspensions flowing through microchannels of approximately 100-800 μ m. This review begins by examining the current fundamental theories and techniques behind the fluidic forces and inertial focusing acting on cells in suspension, before exploring studies that have investigated how these fluidic forces affect the reactions of suspended cells. In light of these studies' findings, both in vivo and in vitro fluidic cell microenvironments shall also be discussed before concluding with recommendations for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Connolly
- School of Engineering, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - D Newport
- School of Engineering, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
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Carvalho MR, Truckenmuller R, Reis RL, Oliveira JM. Biomaterials and Microfluidics for Drug Discovery and Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1230:121-135. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-36588-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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4
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Dynamic in vitro models for tumor tissue engineering. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:178-185. [PMID: 30763717 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer research uses in vitro studies for controllable analysis of tumor behavior and preclinical testing of therapeutics. Shortcomings of basic cell culture systems in recreating in vivo interactions have driven the development of more efficient and biomimetic in vitro environments for cancer research. Assimilation of certain developments in tissue engineering will accelerate and improve the design of these environments. With the continual improvement of the tumor engineering field, the next step is towards macroscopic systems such as scaffold-supported, flow-perfused macroscale tumor bioreactors. Surface modifications of synthetic scaffolds allow for targeted cell adhesion and improved ECM development. Flow perfusion has emerged as means to expose cancerous tissues to critical biomechanical forces for tumor progression while simultaneously improving nutrient and waste transport. Macroscale perfusable systems allow for non-destructive real-time monitoring using biosensors capable of improving understanding of in vitro tumor development at reduced cost and waste. The combination of macroscale perfusable systems, surface-modified synthetic scaffolds, and non-destructive real-time monitoring will provide advanced platforms for in vitro modeling of tumor development, with broad applications in basic tumor research and preclinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parthiv Kant Chaudhuri
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Level 9, Singapore 117411, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Boon Chuan Low
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Level 9, Singapore 117411, Singapore
- Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
- University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138593, Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Level 9, Singapore 117411, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore
- Biomedical Institute for Global Health Research and Technology (BIGHEART), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
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Du Z, Mi S, Yi X, Xu Y, Sun W. Microfluidic system for modelling 3D tumour invasion into surrounding stroma and drug screening. Biofabrication 2018; 10:034102. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aac70c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Logun M, Zhao W, Mao L, Karumbaiah L. Microfluidics in Malignant Glioma Research and Precision Medicine. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2018; 2:1700221. [PMID: 29780878 PMCID: PMC5959050 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer that has no effective treatments and a prognosis of only 12-15 months. Microfluidic technologies deliver microscale control of fluids and cells, and have aided cancer therapy as point-of-care devices for the diagnosis of breast and prostate cancers. However, a few microfluidic devices are developed to study malignant glioma. The ability of these platforms to accurately replicate the complex microenvironmental and extracellular conditions prevailing in the brain and facilitate the measurement of biological phenomena with high resolution and in a high-throughput manner could prove useful for studying glioma progression. These attributes, coupled with their relatively simple fabrication process, make them attractive for use as point-of-care diagnostic devices for detection and treatment of GBM. Here, the current issues that plague GBM research and treatment, as well as the current state of the art in glioma detection and therapy, are reviewed. Finally, opportunities are identified for implementing microfluidic technologies into research and diagnostics to facilitate the rapid detection and better therapeutic targeting of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Logun
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, ADS Complex, University of Georgia, 425 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA
| | - Wujun Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA
| | - Leidong Mao
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA
| | - Lohitash Karumbaiah
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, ADS Complex, University of Georgia, 425 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA
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DeWitt MR, Rylander MN. Tunable Collagen Microfluidic Platform to Study Nanoparticle Transport in the Tumor Microenvironment. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1831:159-178. [PMID: 30051431 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8661-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This chapter describes the motivation and protocol for creating a perfused 3D microfluidic in vitro platform representative of the tumor microenvironment to study nanoparticle transport. The cylindrical vascularized tumor platform described consists of a central endothelialized microchannel surrounded by a collagen hydrogel matrix containing cancer cells. This system can be employed to investigate key nanoparticle transport events in the tumor such as extravasation, diffusion within the extracellular matrix, and nanoparticle uptake. This easily manufactured tumor platform can be used for novel nanoparticle refinement focused on optimizing nanoparticle features such as size, shape, and functionalization method. This can yield ideal nanoparticles with properties that facilitate increased transport within the tumor microenvironment, leading to more effective nanoparticle-based treatments for cancer including nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R DeWitt
- Virginia Tech- Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - M Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Larsen CJ. [Spheroids: A reference model for in vitro culture of solid tumors?]. Bull Cancer 2017; 105:25-34. [PMID: 29224886 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The recognition that solid tumors are complex entities composed of the tumor cell mass itself and a stromal micro-environnement providing a variety of cells from the host (fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells) led to recognize that this heterogeneity could not be recapitulated in vitro by conventional bidimensional (2-D) cultures. This justified numerous attempts to develop tridimensional (3-D) cultures that provided better tools for approaching tumor complexity and more convincing drug testing systems. Among various 3-D technologies, tumor spheroids are more likely suited to provide in vitro platforms for apprehending specific aspects of different processes specifically defining each tumor category as well as testing drug delivery systems. This review summarizes current features of multicellular tumor spheroids and their suitability for studying different aspects of cancer cell biology, patient-specific therapies and drug treatment.
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Chudy M, Tokarska K, Jastrzębska E, Bułka M, Drozdek S, Lamch Ł, Wilk KA, Brzózka Z. Lab-on-a-chip systems for photodynamic therapy investigations. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 101:37-51. [PMID: 29035761 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received widespread attention in cancer treatment due to its smaller surgical trauma, better selectivity towards tumor cells, reduced side effects and possibility of repeatable treatment. Since cancer is the second cause of death worldwide, scientists constantly seek for new potential therapeutic agents including nanotechnology-based photosensitizers used in PDT. The new-designed nanostructures must be carefully studied and well characterized what require analytically useful and powerful tools that enable real progress in nanoscience development. This review describes the current status of PDT investigations using microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip systems, including recent developments of nanoparticle-based PDT agents, their combinations with different drugs, designs and examples of in vitro applications. This review mainly lays emphasis on biological evaluation of FDA approved photosensitizing agents as well as newly designed nanophotosensitizers. It also highlights the analytical performances of various microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip systems for PDT efficacy analysis on 3D culture and discusses microsystems designs in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Chudy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tokarska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Jastrzębska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bułka
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Drozdek
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Lamch
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Kazimiera A Wilk
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Brzózka
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland.
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11
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Liu H, Jie M, He Z, Li HF, Lin JM. Study of antioxidant effects on malignant glioma cells by constructing a tumor-microvascular structure on microchip. Anal Chim Acta 2017; 978:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Khalid N, Kobayashi I, Nakajima M. Recent lab-on-chip developments for novel drug discovery. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 9. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nauman Khalid
- School of Food and Agricultural Sciences; University of Management and Technology; Lahore Pakistan
- Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Waurn Ponds Australia
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba Japan
| | - Isao Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba Japan
- Food Research Institute; NARO; Tsukuba Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakajima
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences; University of Tsukuba; Tsukuba Japan
- Food Research Institute; NARO; Tsukuba Japan
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13
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Chaudhuri PK, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, Jing T, Kenry, Lim CT. Microfluidics for research and applications in oncology. Analyst 2017; 141:504-24. [PMID: 26010996 DOI: 10.1039/c5an00382b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is currently one of the top non-communicable human diseases, and continual research and developmental efforts are being made to better understand and manage this disease. More recently, with the improved understanding in cancer biology as well as the advancements made in microtechnology and rapid prototyping, microfluidics is increasingly being explored and even validated for use in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. With inherent advantages such as small sample volume, high sensitivity and fast processing time, microfluidics is well-positioned to serve as a promising platform for applications in oncology. In this review, we look at the recent advances in the use of microfluidics, from basic research such as understanding cancer cell phenotypes as well as metastatic behaviors to applications such as the detection, diagnosis, prognosis and drug screening. We then conclude with a future outlook on this promising technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore 138602 and School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Tengyang Jing
- BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore 138602 and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575.
| | - Kenry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575. and NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411 and BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore 138602
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14
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Gupta N, Liu JR, Patel B, Solomon DE, Vaidya B, Gupta V. Microfluidics-based 3D cell culture models: Utility in novel drug discovery and delivery research. Bioeng Transl Med 2016; 1:63-81. [PMID: 29313007 PMCID: PMC5689508 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The implementation of microfluidic devices within life sciences has furthered the possibilities of both academic and industrial applications such as rapid genome sequencing, predictive drug studies, and single cell manipulation. In contrast to the preferred two‐dimensional cell‐based screening, three‐dimensional (3D) systems have more in vivo relevance as well as ability to perform as a predictive tool for the success or failure of a drug screening campaign. 3D cell culture has shown an adaptive response to the recent advancements in microfluidic technologies which has allowed better control over spheroid sizes and subsequent drug screening studies. In this review, we highlight the most significant developments in the field of microfluidic 3D culture over the past half‐decade with a special focus on their benefits and challenges down the lane. With the newer technologies emerging, implementation of microfluidic 3D culture systems into the drug discovery pipeline is right around the bend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh Gupta
- Neofluidics LLC, Research and Development Wing San Diego CA 92121
| | - Jeffrey R Liu
- Neofluidics LLC, Research and Development Wing San Diego CA 92121
| | | | - Deepak E Solomon
- Neofluidics LLC, Research and Development Wing San Diego CA 92121
| | | | - Vivek Gupta
- School of Pharmacy Keck Graduate Institute Claremont CA 91711
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15
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Pisano M, Triacca V, Barbee KA, Swartz MA. An in vitro model of the tumor-lymphatic microenvironment with simultaneous transendothelial and luminal flows reveals mechanisms of flow enhanced invasion. Integr Biol (Camb) 2015; 7:525-33. [PMID: 25896438 DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00085h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The most common cancers, including breast and skin, disseminate initially through the lymphatic system, yet the mechanisms by which tumor cells home towards, enter and interact with the lymphatic endothelium remain poorly understood. Transmural and luminal flows are important biophysical cues of the lymphatic microenvironment that can affect adhesion molecules, growth factors and chemokine expression as well as matrix remodeling, among others. Although microfluidic models are suitable for in vitro reconstruction of highly complex biological systems, the difficult assembly and operation of these systems often only allows a limited throughput. Here we present and characterize a novel flow chamber which recapitulates the lymphatic capillary microenvironment by coupling a standard Boyden chamber setup with a micro-channel and a controlled fluidic environment. The inclusion of luminal and transmural flow renders the model more biologically relevant, combining standard 3D culture techniques with advanced control of mechanical forces that are naturally present within the lymphatic microenvironment. The system can be monitored in real-time, allowing continuous quantification of different parameters of interest, such as cell intravasation and detachment from the endothelium, under varied biomechanical conditions. Moreover, the easy setup permits a medium-high throughput, thereby enabling downstream quantitative analyses. Using this model, we examined the kinetics of tumor cell (MDA-MB-231) invasion and transmigration dynamics across lymphatic endothelium under varying flow conditions. We found that luminal flow indirectly upregulates tumor cell transmigration rate via its effect on lymphatic endothelial cells. Moreover, we showed that the addition of transmural flow further increases intravasation, suggesting that distinct flow-mediated mechanisms regulate tumor cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pisano
- Institute of Bioengineering and Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Ramadan Q, Gijs MAM. In vitro micro-physiological models for translational immunology. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:614-36. [PMID: 25501670 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01271b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is a source of regulation of the human body and is key for its stable functioning. Animal models have been successfully used for many years to study human immunity and diseases and provided significant contributions to the development of powerful new therapies. However, such models inevitably display differences from the human metabolism and disease state and therefore may correlate poorly with the human conditions. This explains the interest for the use of in vitro models of human cells, which have better potential to assist in understanding the physiological events that characterize the immune response in humans. Microfluidic technologies offer great capabilities to create miniaturized in vivo-like physiological models that mimic tissue-tissue interactions and simulate the body metabolism in both the healthy and diseased states. The micro-scale features of these microfluidic systems allow positioning heterogeneous cellular cultures in close proximity to each other in a dynamic fluidic environment, thereby allowing efficient cell-cell interactions and effectively narrowing the gap between in vivo and in vitro conditions. Due to the relative simplicity of these systems, compared to animal models, it becomes possible to investigate cell signaling by monitoring the metabolites transported from one tissue to another in real time. This allows studying detailed physiological events and in consequence understanding the influence of metabolites on a specific tissue/organ function as well as on the healthy/diseased state modulation. Numerous in vitro models of human organs have been developed during the last few years, aiming to mimic as closely as possible the in vivo characteristics of such organs. This technology is still in its infancy, but is promised a bright future in industrial and medical applications. Here we review the recent literature, in which functional microphysiological models have been developed to mimic tissues and to explore multi-tissue interactions, focusing in particular on the study of immune reactions, inflammation and the development of diseases. Also, an outlook on the opportunities and issues for further translational development of functional in vitro models in immunology will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qasem Ramadan
- Bioelectronics Laboratory, Institute of Microelectronics, 11 Science Park II, Singapore 117685.
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17
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Bioimpedance monitoring of 3D cell culturing—Complementary electrode configurations for enhanced spatial sensitivity. Biosens Bioelectron 2015; 63:72-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2014.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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18
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Tissue-engineered 3D tumor angiogenesis models: potential technologies for anti-cancer drug discovery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2014; 79-80:30-9. [PMID: 24819220 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is indispensable for solid tumor expansion, and thus it has become a major target of cancer research and anti-cancer therapies. Deciphering the arcane actions of various cell populations during tumor angiogenesis requires sophisticated research models, which could capture the dynamics and complexity of the process. There is a continuous need for improvement of existing research models, which engages interdisciplinary approaches of tissue engineering with life sciences. Tireless efforts to develop a new model to study tumor angiogenesis result in innovative solutions, which bring us one step closer to decipher the dubious nature of cancer. This review aims to overview the recent developments, current limitations and future challenges in three-dimensional tissue-engineered models for the study of tumor angiogenesis and for the purpose of elucidating novel targets aimed at anti-cancer drug discovery.
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Antoine EE, Vlachos PP, Rylander MN. Review of collagen I hydrogels for bioengineered tissue microenvironments: characterization of mechanics, structure, and transport. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2014; 20:683-96. [PMID: 24923709 PMCID: PMC4241868 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2014.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 326] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Type I collagen hydrogels have been used successfully as three-dimensional substrates for cell culture and have shown promise as scaffolds for engineered tissues and tumors. A critical step in the development of collagen hydrogels as viable tissue mimics is quantitative characterization of hydrogel properties and their correlation with fabrication parameters, which enables hydrogels to be tuned to match specific tissues or fulfill engineering requirements. A significant body of work has been devoted to characterization of collagen I hydrogels; however, due to the breadth of materials and techniques used for characterization, published data are often disjoint and hence their utility to the community is reduced. This review aims to determine the parameter space covered by existing data and identify key gaps in the literature so that future characterization and use of collagen I hydrogels for research can be most efficiently conducted. This review is divided into three sections: (1) relevant fabrication parameters are introduced and several of the most popular methods of controlling and regulating them are described, (2) hydrogel properties most relevant for tissue engineering are presented and discussed along with their characterization techniques, (3) the state of collagen I hydrogel characterization is recapitulated and future directions are proposed. Ultimately, this review can serve as a resource for selection of fabrication parameters and material characterization methodologies in order to increase the usefulness of future collagen-hydrogel-based characterization studies and tissue engineering experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavlos P. Vlachos
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
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Fong EL, Santoro M, Farach-Carson MC, Kasper FK, Mikos AG. TISSUE ENGINEERING PERFUSABLE CANCER MODELS. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2014; 3:112-117. [PMID: 24634812 DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The effect of fluid flow on cancer progression is currently not well understood, highlighting the need for perfused tumor models to close this gap in knowledge. Enabling biological processes at the cellular level to be modeled with high spatiotemporal control, microfluidic tumor models have demonstrated applicability as platforms to study cell-cell interactions, effect of interstitial flow on tumor migration and the role of vascular barrier function. To account for the multi-scale nature of cancer growth and invasion, macroscale models are also necessary. The consideration of fluid dynamics within tumor models at both the micro- and macroscopic levels may greatly improve our ability to more fully mimic the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Fong
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030
| | - M Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005
| | - M C Farach-Carson
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030 ; Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251
| | - F K Kasper
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030
| | - A G Mikos
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030 ; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005
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Antoine E, Buchanan C, Fezzaa K, Lee WK, Rylander MN, Vlachos P. Flow measurements in a blood-perfused collagen vessel using x-ray micro-particle image velocimetry. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81198. [PMID: 24260559 PMCID: PMC3832459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-perfused tissue models are joining the emerging field of tumor engineering because they provide new avenues for modulation of the tumor microenvironment and preclinical evaluation of the therapeutic potential of new treatments. The characterization of fluid flow parameters in such in-vitro perfused tissue models is a critical step towards better understanding and manipulating the tumor microenvironment. However, traditional optical flow measurement methods are inapplicable because of the opacity of blood and the thickness of the tissue sample. In order to overcome the limitations of optical method we demonstrate the feasibility of using phase-contrast x-ray imaging to perform microscale particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of flow in blood perfused hydrated tissue-representative microvessels. However, phase contrast x-ray images significantly depart from the traditional PIV image paradigm, as they have high intensity background, very low signal-to-noise ratio, and volume integration effects. Hence, in order to achieve accurate measurements special attention must be paid to the image processing and PIV cross-correlation methodologies. Therefore we develop and demonstrate a methodology that incorporates image preprocessing as well as advanced PIV cross-correlation methods to result in measured velocities within experimental uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Antoine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Cara Buchanan
- VT-WFU School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kamel Fezzaa
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Wah-Keat Lee
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, United States of America
| | - M. Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- VT-WFU School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Pavlos Vlachos
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Delamarche E, Tonna N, Lovchik RD, Bianco F, Matteoli M. Pharmacology on microfluidics: multimodal analysis for studying cell-cell interaction. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2013; 13:821-8. [PMID: 23876840 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of cell-cell interaction is a key unanswered question in modern pharmacology, given crosstalk defects are at the basis of many pathologies. Microfluidics represents a valuable tool for analyzing intercellular communication mediated by transmission of soluble signals, as occurring for example between neurons and glial cells in neuroinflammation, or between tumor and surrounding cells in cancer. However, the use of microfluidics for studying cell behavior still encompasses many technical and biological challenges. In this review, a state of the art of successes, potentials and limitations of microfluidics applied to key biological questions in modern pharmacology is analyzed and commented.
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