1
|
Mohammadi M, Ahmed Qadir S, Mahmood Faraj A, Hamid Shareef O, Mahmoodi H, Mahmoudi F, Moradi S. Navigating the future: Microfluidics charting new routes in drug delivery. Int J Pharm 2024:124142. [PMID: 38648941 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124142] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidics has emerged as a transformative force in the field of drug delivery, offering innovative avenues to produce a diverse range of nano drug delivery systems. Thanks to its precise manipulation of small fluid volumes and its exceptional command over the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles, this technology is notably able to enhance the pharmacokinetics of drugs. It has initiated a revolutionary phase in the domain of drug delivery, presenting a multitude of compelling advantages when it comes to developing nanocarriers tailored for the delivery of poorly soluble medications. These advantages represent a substantial departure from conventional drug delivery methodologies, marking a paradigm shift in pharmaceutical research and development. Furthermore, microfluidic platformsmay be strategically devised to facilitate targeted drug delivery with the objective of enhancing the localized bioavailability of pharmaceutical substances. In this paper, we have comprehensively investigated a range of significant microfluidic techniques used in the production of nanoscale drug delivery systems. This comprehensive review can serve as a valuable reference and offer insightful guidance for the development and optimization of numerous microfluidics-fabricated nanocarriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Syamand Ahmed Qadir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Halabja Technical Institute, Research Center, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Aryan Mahmood Faraj
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Halabja Technical College of Applied Sciences, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Halabja, Iraq
| | - Osama Hamid Shareef
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Halabja Technical Institute, Research Center, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
| | - Hassan Mahmoodi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mahmoudi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sajad Moradi
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang L, Guo K, Chen Y, Xiang N. Droplet Microfluidics for Current Cancer Research: From Single-Cell Analysis to 3D Cell Culture. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:1335-1354. [PMID: 38420753 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01866] [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: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Differences in drug resistance and treatment response caused by the heterogeneity of cancer cells are the primary reasons for poor cancer therapy outcomes in patients. In addition, current in vitro anticancer drug-screening methods rely on two-dimensional monolayer-cultured cancer cells, which cannot accurately predict drug behavior in vivo. Therefore, a powerful tool to study the heterogeneity of cancer cells and produce effective in vitro tumor models is warranted to leverage cancer research. Droplet microfluidics has become a powerful platform for the single-cell analysis of cancer cells and three-dimensional cell culture of in vitro tumor spheroids. In this review, we discuss the use of droplet microfluidics in cancer research. Droplet microfluidic technologies, including single- or double-emulsion droplet generation and passive- or active-droplet manipulation, are concisely discussed. Recent advances in droplet microfluidics for single-cell analysis of cancer cells, circulating tumor cells, and scaffold-free/based 3D cell culture of tumor spheroids have been systematically introduced. Finally, the challenges that must be overcome for the further application of droplet microfluidics in cancer research are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Kefan Guo
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Nan Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nottelet B, Buwalda S, van Nostrum CF, Zhao X, Deng C, Zhong Z, Cheah E, Svirskis D, Trayford C, van Rijt S, Ménard-Moyon C, Kumar R, Kehr NS, de Barros NR, Khademhosseini A, Kim HJ, Vermonden T. Roadmap on multifunctional materials for drug delivery. JPHYS MATERIALS 2024; 7:012502. [PMID: 38144214 PMCID: PMC10734278 DOI: 10.1088/2515-7639/ad05e8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
This Roadmap on drug delivery aims to cover some of the most recent advances in the field of materials for drug delivery systems (DDSs) and emphasizes the role that multifunctional materials play in advancing the performance of modern DDSs in the context of the most current challenges presented. The Roadmap is comprised of multiple sections, each of which introduces the status of the field, the current and future challenges faced, and a perspective of the required advances necessary for biomaterial science to tackle these challenges. It is our hope that this collective vision will contribute to the initiation of conversation and collaboration across all areas of multifunctional materials for DDSs. We stress that this article is not meant to be a fully comprehensive review but rather an up-to-date snapshot of different areas of research, with a minimal number of references that focus upon the very latest research developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Nottelet
- IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Pharmacy, Nîmes University Hospital, Univ Montpellier, 30900 Nimes, France
| | - Sytze Buwalda
- MINES Paris, PSL University, Center for Materials Forming, 06904 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | | | - Xiaofei Zhao
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Deng
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhong
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ernest Cheah
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Darren Svirskis
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Chloe Trayford
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine van Rijt
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Cécilia Ménard-Moyon
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ravi Kumar
- Physikalisches Institute and Center of Soft Nanoscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nermin Seda Kehr
- Physikalisches Institute and Center of Soft Nanoscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90274, United States of America
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90274, United States of America
| | - Han-Jun Kim
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90274, United States of America
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht,The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu Z, Huang D, Wang J, Zhao Y, Sun W, Shen X. Engineering Heterogeneous Tumor Models for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304160. [PMID: 37946674 PMCID: PMC10767453 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304160] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumor tissue engineering holds great promise for replicating the physiological and behavioral characteristics of tumors in vitro. Advances in this field have led to new opportunities for studying the tumor microenvironment and exploring potential anti-cancer therapeutics. However, the main obstacle to the widespread adoption of tumor models is the poor understanding and insufficient reconstruction of tumor heterogeneity. In this review, the current progress of engineering heterogeneous tumor models is discussed. First, the major components of tumor heterogeneity are summarized, which encompasses various signaling pathways, cell proliferations, and spatial configurations. Then, contemporary approaches are elucidated in tumor engineering that are guided by fundamental principles of tumor biology, and the potential of a bottom-up approach in tumor engineering is highlighted. Additionally, the characterization approaches and biomedical applications of tumor models are discussed, emphasizing the significant role of engineered tumor models in scientific research and clinical trials. Lastly, the challenges of heterogeneous tumor models in promoting oncology research and tumor therapy are described and key directions for future research are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Danqing Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
| | - Weijian Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325027China
| | - Xian Shen
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang Y, Li W, Wang Z, Lu J. Lipid-Based Nanotechnology: Liposome. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:34. [PMID: 38258045 PMCID: PMC10820119 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past several decades, liposomes have been extensively developed and used for various clinical applications such as in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and dietetic fields, due to its versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, as well as the ability to enhance the therapeutic index of free drugs. However, some challenges remain unsolved, including liposome premature leakage, manufacturing irreproducibility, and limited translation success. This article reviews various aspects of liposomes, including its advantages, major compositions, and common preparation techniques, and discusses present U.S. FDA-approved, clinical, and preclinical liposomal nanotherapeutics for treating and preventing a variety of human diseases. In addition, we summarize the significance of and challenges in liposome-enabled nanotherapeutic development and hope it provides the fundamental knowledge and concepts about liposomes and their applications and contributions in contemporary pharmaceutical advancement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhao Jiang
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Track, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.J.); (W.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Wenpan Li
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Track, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.J.); (W.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Track, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.J.); (W.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Jianqin Lu
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics Track, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (Y.J.); (W.L.); (Z.W.)
- Clinical and Translational Oncology Program, NCI-Designated University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Trinh TND, Do HDK, Nam NN, Dan TT, Trinh KTL, Lee NY. Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Applications in Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:937. [PMID: 37513850 PMCID: PMC10385691 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics offer great opportunities for applications in various fields, such as diagnostics, food sciences, and drug discovery. A droplet provides an isolated environment for performing a single reaction within a microscale-volume sample, allowing for a fast reaction with a high sensitivity, high throughput, and low risk of cross-contamination. Owing to several remarkable features, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been intensively studied. In this review, we discuss the impact of droplet microfluidics, particularly focusing on drug screening and development. In addition, we surveyed various methods of device fabrication and droplet generation/manipulation. We further highlight some promising studies covering drug synthesis and delivery that were updated within the last 5 years. This review provides researchers with a quick guide that includes the most up-to-date and relevant information on the latest scientific findings on the development of droplet-based microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi Ngoc Diep Trinh
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Do
- NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ward 13, District 04, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Nhat Nam
- Biotechnology Center, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Thach Thi Dan
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Kieu The Loan Trinh
- BioNano Applications Research Center, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Nae Yoon Lee
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gong L, Cretella A, Lin Y. Microfluidic systems for particle capture and release: A review. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 236:115426. [PMID: 37276636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115426] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic technology has emerged as a promising tool in various applications, including biosensing, disease diagnosis, and environmental monitoring. One of the notable features of microfluidic devices is their ability to selectively capture and release specific cells, biomolecules, bacteria, and particles. Compared to traditional bulk analysis instruments, microfluidic capture-and-release platforms offer several advantages, such as contactless operation, label-free detection, high accuracy, good sensitivity, and minimal reagent requirements. However, despite significant efforts dedicated to developing innovative capture mechanisms in the past, the release and recovery efficiency of trapped particles have often been overlooked. Many previous studies have focused primarily on particle capture techniques and their efficiency, disregarding the crucial role of successful particle release for subsequent analysis. In reality, the ability to effectively release trapped particles is particularly essential to ensure ongoing, high-throughput analysis. To address this gap, this review aims to highlight the importance of both capture and release mechanisms in microfluidic systems and assess their effectiveness. The methods are classified into two categories: those based on physical principles and those using biochemical approaches. Furthermore, the review offers a comprehensive summary of recent applications of microfluidic platforms specifically designed for particle capture and release. It outlines the designs and performance of these devices, highlighting their advantages and limitations in various target applications and purposes. Finally, the review concludes with discussions on the current challenges faced in the field and presents potential future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Gong
- Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Andrew Cretella
- Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Yang Lin
- Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chitosan and Pectin Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and In Vitro Modeling. Gels 2023; 9:gels9020132. [PMID: 36826302 PMCID: PMC9957157 DOI: 10.3390/gels9020132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are fascinating biomaterials that can act as a support for cells, i.e., a scaffold, in which they can organize themselves spatially in a similar way to what occurs in vivo. Hydrogel use is therefore essential for the development of 3D systems and allows to recreate the cellular microenvironment in physiological and pathological conditions. This makes them ideal candidates for biological tissue analogues for application in the field of both tissue engineering and 3D in vitro models, as they have the ability to closely mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of a specific organ or tissue. Polysaccharide-based hydrogels, because of their remarkable biocompatibility related to their polymeric constituents, have the ability to interact beneficially with the cellular components. Although the growing interest in the use of polysaccharide-based hydrogels in the biomedical field is evidenced by a conspicuous number of reviews on the topic, none of them have focused on the combined use of two important polysaccharides, chitosan and pectin. Therefore, the present review will discuss the biomedical applications of polysaccharide-based hydrogels containing the two aforementioned natural polymers, chitosan and pectin, in the fields of tissue engineering and 3D in vitro modeling.
Collapse
|
9
|
Rojek K, Ćwiklińska M, Kuczak J, Guzowski J. Microfluidic Formulation of Topological Hydrogels for Microtissue Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:16839-16909. [PMID: 36108106 PMCID: PMC9706502 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics has recently emerged as a powerful tool in generation of submillimeter-sized cell aggregates capable of performing tissue-specific functions, so-called microtissues, for applications in drug testing, regenerative medicine, and cell therapies. In this work, we review the most recent advances in the field, with particular focus on the formulation of cell-encapsulating microgels of small "dimensionalities": "0D" (particles), "1D" (fibers), "2D" (sheets), etc., and with nontrivial internal topologies, typically consisting of multiple compartments loaded with different types of cells and/or biopolymers. Such structures, which we refer to as topological hydrogels or topological microgels (examples including core-shell or Janus microbeads and microfibers, hollow or porous microstructures, or granular hydrogels) can be precisely tailored with high reproducibility and throughput by using microfluidics and used to provide controlled "initial conditions" for cell proliferation and maturation into functional tissue-like microstructures. Microfluidic methods of formulation of topological biomaterials have enabled significant progress in engineering of miniature tissues and organs, such as pancreas, liver, muscle, bone, heart, neural tissue, or vasculature, as well as in fabrication of tailored microenvironments for stem-cell expansion and differentiation, or in cancer modeling, including generation of vascularized tumors for personalized drug testing. We review the available microfluidic fabrication methods by exploiting various cross-linking mechanisms and various routes toward compartmentalization and critically discuss the available tissue-specific applications. Finally, we list the remaining challenges such as simplification of the microfluidic workflow for its widespread use in biomedical research, bench-to-bedside transition including production upscaling, further in vivo validation, generation of more precise organ-like models, as well as incorporation of induced pluripotent stem cells as a step toward clinical applications.
Collapse
|
10
|
Seeto WJ, Tian Y, Pradhan S, Minond D, Lipke EA. Droplet Microfluidics-Based Fabrication of Monodisperse Poly(ethylene glycol)-Fibrinogen Breast Cancer Microspheres for Automated Drug Screening Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:3831-3841. [PMID: 35969206 PMCID: PMC9472798 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Spheroidal cancer microtissues are highly advantageous for a wide range of biomedical applications, including high-throughput drug screening, multiplexed target validation, mechanistic investigation of tumor-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, among others. Current techniques for spheroidal tissue formation rely heavily on self-aggregation of single cancer cells and have substantial limitations in terms of cell-type-specific heterogeneities, uniformity, ease of production and handling, and most importantly, mimicking the complex native tumor microenvironmental conditions in simplistic models. These constraints can be overcome by using engineered tunable hydrogels that closely mimic the tumor ECM and elucidate pathologically relevant cell behavior, coupled with microfluidics-based high-throughput fabrication technologies to encapsulate cells and create cancer microtissues. In this study, we employ biosynthetic hybrid hydrogels composed of poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA) covalently conjugated to natural protein (fibrinogen) (PEG-fibrinogen, PF) to create monodisperse microspheres encapsulating breast cancer cells for 3D culture and tumorigenic characterization. A previously developed droplet-based microfluidic system is used for rapid, facile, and reproducible fabrication of uniform cancer microspheres with either MCF7 or MDA-MB-231 (metastatic) breast cancer cells. Cancer cell-type-dependent variations in cell viability, metabolic activity, and 3D morphology, as well as microsphere stiffness, are quantified over time. Particularly, MCF7 cells grew as tight cellular clusters in the PF microspheres, characteristic of their epithelial morphology, while MDA-MB-231 cells displayed elongated and invasive morphology, characteristic of their mesenchymal and metastatic nature. Finally, the translational potential of the cancer microsphere platform toward high-throughput drug screening is also demonstrated. With high uniformity, scalability, and control over engineered microenvironments, the established cancer microsphere model can be potentially used for mechanistic studies, fabrication of modular cancer microtissues, and future drug-testing applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen J. Seeto
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Shantanu Pradhan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Dmitriy Minond
- College
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Lauderdale, Florida 33314, United States
- Rumbaugh-Goodwin
Institute for Cancer Research, Nova Southeastern
University, Lauderdale, Florida 33314, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Lipke
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Regmi S, Poudel C, Adhikari R, Luo KQ. Applications of Microfluidics and Organ-on-a-Chip in Cancer Research. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12070459. [PMID: 35884262 PMCID: PMC9313151 DOI: 10.3390/bios12070459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Taking the life of nearly 10 million people annually, cancer has become one of the major causes of mortality worldwide and a hot topic for researchers to find innovative approaches to demystify the disease and drug development. Having its root lying in microelectronics, microfluidics seems to hold great potential to explore our limited knowledge in the field of oncology. It offers numerous advantages such as a low sample volume, minimal cost, parallelization, and portability and has been advanced in the field of molecular biology and chemical synthesis. The platform has been proved to be valuable in cancer research, especially for diagnostics and prognosis purposes and has been successfully employed in recent years. Organ-on-a-chip, a biomimetic microfluidic platform, simulating the complexity of a human organ, has emerged as a breakthrough in cancer research as it provides a dynamic platform to simulate tumor growth and progression in a chip. This paper aims at giving an overview of microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip technology incorporating their historical development, physics of fluid flow and application in oncology. The current applications of microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip in the field of cancer research have been copiously discussed integrating the major application areas such as the isolation of CTCs, studying the cancer cell phenotype as well as metastasis, replicating TME in organ-on-a-chip and drug development. This technology’s significance and limitations are also addressed, giving readers a comprehensive picture of the ability of the microfluidic platform to advance the field of oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Regmi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of Physics, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal;
- Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST), Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal;
- Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Khumaltar, Lalitpur 44700, Nepal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Chetan Poudel
- Department of Physics, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal;
| | - Rameshwar Adhikari
- Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST), Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal;
| | - Kathy Qian Luo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
- Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|