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Safarzadeh M, Richardson LS, Kammala AK, Mosebarger A, Bettayeb M, Kim S, Lam PY, Radnaa E, Han A, Menon R. A multi-organ, feto-maternal interface organ-on-chip, models pregnancy pathology and is a useful preclinical extracellular vesicle drug trial platform. EXTRACELLULAR VESICLE 2024; 3:100035. [PMID: 38872854 PMCID: PMC11175617 DOI: 10.1016/j.vesic.2024.100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant women and their fetuses are often excluded from clinical trials due to missing drug-related pre-clinical trial information at the human feto-maternal interface (FMi). The two interfaces-placenta/decidua and fetal membranes/decidua are gatekeepers of drug transport; however, testing their functions is impractical during pregnancy. Limitations of current in-vivo/in-vitro models have hampered drug development and testing during pregnancy. Hence, major complications like preterm births and maternal and neonatal mortalities remain high. Advancements in organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms to test drug kinetics and efficacy and novel extracellular vesicle-based fetal drug delivery are expected to accelerate preclinical trials related to pregnancy complications. Here we report the development and testing of a humanized multi-organ fetal membrane/placenta (fetal)-decidua (maternal) interface OOC (FMi-PLA-OOC) that contains seven cell types interconnected through microchannels to maintain intercellular interactions as seen in-utero. Cytotoxicity, propagation, mechanism of action, and efficacy of engineered extracellular vesicles containing anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 (eIL-10) were evaluated to reduce FMi inflammation associated with preterm birth. A healthy and disease model (lipopolysaccharide-infectious inflammation) of the FMi-PLA-OOC was created and co-treated with eIL-10. eIL-10 propagated from the maternal to fetal side within 72-hours, localized in all cell types, showed no cytotoxicity, activated IL-10 signaling pathways, and reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation (minimized NF-kB activation and proinflammatory cytokine production). These data recapitulated eIL-10s' ability to reduce inflammation and delay infection-associated preterm birth in mouse models, suggesting FMi-PLA-OOC as an alternative approach to using animal models. Additionally, we report the utility of eIL-10 that can traverse through FMis to reduce inflammation-associated pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Safarzadeh
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren S. Richardson
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Angela Mosebarger
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Mohamed Bettayeb
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Morais AS, Mendes M, Cordeiro MA, Sousa JJ, Pais AC, Mihăilă SM, Vitorino C. Organ-on-a-Chip: Ubi sumus? Fundamentals and Design Aspects. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:615. [PMID: 38794277 PMCID: PMC11124787 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050615] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review outlines the evolutionary journey from traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture to the revolutionary field of organ-on-a-chip technology. Organ-on-a-chip technology integrates microfluidic systems to mimic the complex physiological environments of human organs, surpassing the limitations of conventional 2D cultures. This evolution has opened new possibilities for understanding cell-cell interactions, cellular responses, drug screening, and disease modeling. However, the design and manufacture of microchips significantly influence their functionality, reliability, and applicability to different biomedical applications. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider design parameters, including the number of channels (single, double, or multi-channels), the channel shape, and the biological context. Simultaneously, the selection of appropriate materials compatible with the cells and fabrication methods optimize the chips' capabilities for specific applications, mitigating some disadvantages associated with these systems. Furthermore, the success of organ-on-a-chip platforms greatly depends on the careful selection and utilization of cell resources. Advances in stem cell technology and tissue engineering have contributed to the availability of diverse cell sources, facilitating the development of more accurate and reliable organ-on-a-chip models. In conclusion, a holistic perspective of in vitro cellular modeling is provided, highlighting the integration of microfluidic technology and meticulous chip design, which play a pivotal role in replicating organ-specific microenvironments. At the same time, the sensible use of cell resources ensures the fidelity and applicability of these innovative platforms in several biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Morais
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Maria Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Marta Agostinho Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - João J. Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Alberto Canelas Pais
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Silvia M. Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
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Harun-Ur-Rashid M, Jahan I, Foyez T, Imran AB. Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials for Micro/Nanodevices: A New Era in Biomedical Applications. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1786. [PMID: 37763949 PMCID: PMC10536921 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Exploring bio-inspired nanomaterials (BINMs) and incorporating them into micro/nanodevices represent a significant development in biomedical applications. Nanomaterials, engineered to imitate biological structures and processes, exhibit distinctive attributes such as exceptional biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and unparalleled versatility. The utilization of BINMs demonstrates significant potential in diverse domains of biomedical micro/nanodevices, encompassing biosensors, targeted drug delivery systems, and advanced tissue engineering constructs. This article thoroughly examines the development and distinctive attributes of various BINMs, including those originating from proteins, DNA, and biomimetic polymers. Significant attention is directed toward incorporating these entities into micro/nanodevices and the subsequent biomedical ramifications that arise. This review explores biomimicry's structure-function correlations. Synthesis mosaics include bioprocesses, biomolecules, and natural structures. These nanomaterials' interfaces use biomimetic functionalization and geometric adaptations, transforming drug delivery, nanobiosensing, bio-inspired organ-on-chip systems, cancer-on-chip models, wound healing dressing mats, and antimicrobial surfaces. It provides an in-depth analysis of the existing challenges and proposes prospective strategies to improve the efficiency, performance, and reliability of these devices. Furthermore, this study offers a forward-thinking viewpoint highlighting potential avenues for future exploration and advancement. The objective is to effectively utilize and maximize the application of BINMs in the progression of biomedical micro/nanodevices, thereby propelling this rapidly developing field toward its promising future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Harun-Ur-Rashid
- Department of Chemistry, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh;
| | - Israt Jahan
- Department of Cell Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan;
| | - Tahmina Foyez
- Department of Pharmacy, United International University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh;
| | - Abu Bin Imran
- Department of Chemistry, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
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Tian CM, Yang MF, Xu HM, Zhu MZ, Yue NN, Zhang Y, Shi RY, Yao J, Wang LS, Liang YJ, Li DF. Stem cell-derived intestinal organoids: a novel modality for IBD. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:255. [PMID: 37479716 PMCID: PMC10362068 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01556-1] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The organoids represent one of the greatest revolutions in the biomedical field in the past decade. This three-dimensional (3D) micro-organ cultured in vitro has a structure highly similar to that of the tissue and organ. Using the regeneration ability of stem cells, a 3D organ-like structure called intestinal organoids is established, which can mimic the characteristics of real intestinal organs, including morphology, function, and personalized response to specific stimuli. Here, we discuss current stem cell-based organ-like 3D intestinal models, including understanding the molecular pathophysiology, high-throughput screening drugs, drug efficacy testing, toxicological evaluation, and organ-based regeneration of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We summarize the advances and limitations of the state-of-the-art reconstruction platforms for intestinal organoids. The challenges, advantages, and prospects of intestinal organs as an in vitro model system for precision medicine are also discussed. Key applications of stem cell-derived intestinal organoids. Intestinal organoids can be used to model infectious diseases, develop new treatments, drug screens, precision medicine, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Mei Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Mei-Feng Yang
- Department of Hematology, Yantian District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao-Ming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 51000, China
| | - Min-Zheng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 51000, China
| | - Ning-Ning Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Administration, Huizhou Institute of Occupational Diseases Control and Prevention, Huizhou, 516000, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui-Yue Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li-Sheng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yu-Jie Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - De-Feng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
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5
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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. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
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6
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Dhwaj A, Roy N, Jaiswar A, Prabhakar A, Verma D. 3D-Printed Impedance Micropump for Continuous Perfusion of the Sample and Nutrient Medium Integrated with a Liver-On-Chip Prototype. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:40900-40910. [PMID: 36406565 PMCID: PMC9670287 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, organ-on-chip devices have gained substantial interest as an alternative for studying the pathophysiological processes relevant to drug screening. Micropumps are being utilized to simulate the in vivo physiological fluid flow more realistically in these organ-on-chip devices. Micropumps play a crucial role in pumping, perfusion, and circulation of fluids in various microdevices such as on-chip PCR, DNA microarrays, miniature bioreactor cell separation, and lab-on-chip biosensing platforms. With the rapid growth in technology, efficient pumping for proper circulation of media and nutrients has become imperative. In this study, we have described the design and development of an open-source impedance micropump for continuous perfusion of nutrient medium in a liver-on-chip prototype. This micropump is controlled via an integrated microcontroller board, with an observed flow rate ranging from 0.2 to 2 mL/min. Google Sketchup 2020 and DLP 3D printing were used to fabricate small precise parts of the impedance micropump. The flow rate was measured to characterize the actuating performance of the micropump. The poly-dimethyl siloxane-based liver-on-chip prototype has been fabricated using a soft photolithography procedure. Further, a study of continuous perfusion of culture medium through the liver-on-chip containing the Hepg2 cell line was successfully performed by integrating it with the impedance micropump. Hoechst staining and Alamar Blue observed cell viability to confirm the healthy cell growth inside the liver-on-chip microfluidic chip. The compactness of the overall setup allows it to fit in a Petri plate, eliminating chances of contamination while cell handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Dhwaj
- Department
of Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of
Information Technology, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh211015, India
| | - Nimisha Roy
- Department
of Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of
Information Technology, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh211015, India
| | - Ankur Jaiswar
- Department
of Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of
Information Technology, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh211015, India
| | - Amit Prabhakar
- Department
of Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of
Information Technology, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh211015, India
| | - Deepti Verma
- Department
of Chemistry, Allahabad University, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh211002, India
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Zommiti M, Connil N, Tahrioui A, Groboillot A, Barbey C, Konto-Ghiorghi Y, Lesouhaitier O, Chevalier S, Feuilloley MGJ. Organs-on-Chips Platforms Are Everywhere: A Zoom on Biomedical Investigation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:646. [PMID: 36354557 PMCID: PMC9687856 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the decades, conventional in vitro culture systems and animal models have been used to study physiology, nutrient or drug metabolisms including mechanical and physiopathological aspects. However, there is an urgent need for Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) and more sophisticated platforms and devices to approach the real complexity of human physiology and provide reliable extrapolations for clinical investigations and personalized medicine. Organ-on-a-chip (OOC), also known as a microphysiological system, is a state-of-the-art microfluidic cell culture technology that sums up cells or tissue-to-tissue interfaces, fluid flows, mechanical cues, and organ-level physiology, and it has been developed to fill the gap between in vitro experimental models and human pathophysiology. The wide range of OOC platforms involves the miniaturization of cell culture systems and enables a variety of novel experimental techniques. These range from modeling the independent effects of biophysical forces on cells to screening novel drugs in multi-organ microphysiological systems, all within microscale devices. As in living biosystems, the development of vascular structure is the salient feature common to almost all organ-on-a-chip platforms. Herein, we provide a snapshot of this fast-evolving sophisticated technology. We will review cutting-edge developments and advances in the OOC realm, discussing current applications in the biomedical field with a detailed description of how this technology has enabled the reconstruction of complex multi-scale and multifunctional matrices and platforms (at the cellular and tissular levels) leading to an acute understanding of the physiopathological features of human ailments and infections in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Zommiti
- Research Unit Bacterial Communication and Anti-infectious Strategies (CBSA, UR4312), University of Rouen Normandie, 27000 Evreux, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marc G. J. Feuilloley
- Research Unit Bacterial Communication and Anti-infectious Strategies (CBSA, UR4312), University of Rouen Normandie, 27000 Evreux, France
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Szostak B, Gorący A, Pala B, Rosik J, Ustianowski Ł, Pawlik A. Latest models for the discovery and development of rheumatoid arthritis drugs. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1261-1278. [PMID: 36184990 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2131765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that reduces the quality of life. The current speed of development of therapeutic agents against RA is not satisfactory. Models on which initial experiments are conducted do not fully reflect human pathogenesis. Overcoming this oversimplification might be a crucial step to accelerate studies on RA treatment. AREAS COVERED The current approaches to produce novel models or to improve currently available models for the development of RA drugs have been discussed. Advantages and drawbacks of two- and three-dimensional cell cultures and animal models have been described based on recently published results of the studies. Moreover, approaches such as tissue engineering or organ-on-a-chip have been reviewed. EXPERT OPINION The cell cultures and animal models used to date appear to be of limited value due to the complexity of the processes involved in RA. Current models in RA research should take into account the heterogeneity of patients in terms of disease subtypes, course, and activity. Several advanced models and tools using human cells and tissues have been developed, including three-dimensional tissues, liquid bioreactors, and more complex joint-on-a-chip devices. This may increase knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to disease development, to help identify new biomarkers for early detection, and to develop preventive strategies and more effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Szostak
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Anna Gorący
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Pala
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pomeranian Medical University Hospital No. 1, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Jakub Rosik
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.,Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Łukasz Ustianowski
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pawlik
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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Guo W, Chen Z, Feng Z, Li H, Zhang M, Zhang H, Cui X. Fabrication of Concave Microwells and Their Applications in Micro-Tissue Engineering: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13091555. [PMID: 36144178 PMCID: PMC9505614 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
At present, there is an increasing need to mimic the in vivo micro-environment in the culture of cells and tissues in micro-tissue engineering. Concave microwells are becoming increasingly popular since they can provide a micro-environment that is closer to the in vivo environment compared to traditional microwells, which can facilitate the culture of cells and tissues. Here, we will summarize the fabrication methods of concave microwells, as well as their applications in micro-tissue engineering. The fabrication methods of concave microwells include traditional methods, such as lithography and etching, thermal reflow of photoresist, laser ablation, precision-computerized numerical control (CNC) milling, and emerging technologies, such as surface tension methods, the deformation of soft membranes, 3D printing, the molding of microbeads, air bubbles, and frozen droplets. The fabrication of concave microwells is transferring from professional microfabrication labs to common biochemical labs to facilitate their applications and provide convenience for users. Concave microwells have mostly been used in organ-on-a-chip models, including the formation and culture of 3D cell aggregates (spheroids, organoids, and embryoids). Researchers have also used microwells to study the influence of substrate topology on cellular behaviors. We will briefly review their applications in different aspects of micro-tissue engineering and discuss the further applications of concave microwells. We believe that building multiorgan-on-a-chip by 3D cell aggregates of different cell lines will be a popular application of concave microwells, while integrating physiologically relevant molecular analyses with the 3D culture platform will be another popular application in the near future. Furthermore, 3D cell aggregates from these biosystems will find more applications in drug screening and xenogeneic implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijin Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Zejingqiu Chen
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Zitao Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Haonan Li
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Muyang Zhang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Huiru Zhang
- Guangdong Foshan Lianchuang Graduate School of Engineering, Foshan 528311, China
| | - Xin Cui
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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10
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Contato A, Gagliano O, Magnussen M, Giomo M, Elvassore N. Timely delivery of cardiac mmRNAs in microfluidics enhances cardiogenic programming of human pluripotent stem cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:871867. [PMID: 36032711 PMCID: PMC9399928 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.871867] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades lab-on-chip models, specifically heart-on-chip, have been developed as promising technologies for recapitulating physiological environments suitable for studies of drug and environmental effects on either human physiological or patho-physiological conditions. Most human heart-on-chip systems are based on integration and adaptation of terminally differentiated cells within microfluidic context. This process requires prolonged procedures, multiple steps, and is associated with an intrinsic variability of cardiac differentiation. In this view, we developed a method for cardiac differentiation-on-a-chip based on combining the stage-specific regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with the forced expression of transcription factors (TFs) that timely recapitulate hallmarks of the cardiac development. We performed the overall cardiac differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to cardiomyocytes (CMs) within a microfluidic environment. Sequential forced expression of cardiac TFs was achieved by a sequential mmRNAs delivery of first MESP1, GATA4 followed by GATA4, NKX2.5, MEF2C, TBX3, and TBX5. We showed that this optimized protocol led to a robust and reproducible approach to obtain a cost-effective hiPSC-derived heart-on-chip. The results showed higher distribution of cTNT positive CMs along the channel and a higher expression of functional cardiac markers (TNNT2 and MYH7). The combination of stage-specific regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with mmRNAs encoding cardiac transcription factors will be suitable to obtain heart-on-chip model in a cost-effective manner, enabling to perform combinatorial, multiparametric, parallelized and high-throughput experiments on functional cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Contato
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Michael Magnussen
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Giomo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Nicola Elvassore,
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11
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Liu NC, Liang CC, Li YCE, Lee IC. A Real-Time Sensing System for Monitoring Neural Network Degeneration in an Alzheimer’s Disease-on-a-Chip Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14051022. [PMID: 35631608 PMCID: PMC9148060 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14051022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based in vitro models may provide potential therapeutic strategies and allow drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Herein, we develop a neural stem cell (NSC) spheroid-based biochip that is characterized by a brain-like structure, well-defined neural differentiation, and neural network formation, representing a brain-on-a-chip. This system consisted of microelectrode arrays with a multichannel platform and allowed the real-time monitoring of network formation and degeneration by impedance analysis. The parameters of this platform for the real-time tracking of network development and organization were established based on our previous study. Subsequently, β-amyloid (Aβ) was added into the brain-on-a-chip system to generate an AD-on-a-chip model, and toxic effects on neurons and the degeneration of synapses were observed. The AD-on-a-chip model may help us to investigate the neurotoxicity of Aβ on neurons and neural networks in real time. Aβ causes neural damage and accumulates around neurites or inside neurospheroids, as observed by immunostaining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After incubation with Aβ, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased, synapse function decreased, and the neurotransmitter-acetylcholine (ACh) concentration decreased were observed. Most importantly, the real-time analysis system monitored the impedance value variation in the system with Aβ incubation, providing consecutive network disconnection data that are consistent with biological data. This platform provides simple, real-time, and convenient sensing to monitor the network microenvironment. The proposed AD-on-a-chip model enhances the understanding of neurological pathology, and the development of this model provides an alternative for the study of drug discovery and cell–protein interactions in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nien-Che Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan; (N.-C.L.); (C.-C.L.)
| | - Chu-Chun Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan; (N.-C.L.); (C.-C.L.)
| | - Yi-Chen Ethan Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407102, Taiwan;
| | - I-Chi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan; (N.-C.L.); (C.-C.L.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Rui X, Cui M, Martewicz S, Hu M, Gagliano O, Elvassore N, Luni C. Extracellular phosphoprotein regulation is affected by culture system scale-down. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130165. [PMID: 35513203 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130165] [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: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphorylated proteins are known to be present in multiple body fluids in normal conditions, and abnormally accumulated under some pathological conditions. The biological significance of their role in the extracellular space has started being elucidated only recently, for example in bone mineralization, neural development, and coagulation. Here, we address some criticalities of conventional culture systems for the study of the extracellular regulation of phosphorylation. METHODS We make use of microfluidics to scale-down the culture volume to a size comparable to the interstitial spaces occurring in vivo. The phosphoprotein content of conditioned media was analyzed by a colorimetric assay that detects global phosphorylation. RESULTS We found that miniaturization of the culture system increases phosphoprotein accumulation. Moreover, we demonstrated that in conventional culture systems dilution affects the extent of the phosphorylation reactions occurring within the extracellular space. On the other hand, in microfluidics the phosphorylation status was not affected by addition of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and FAM20C Golgi Associated Secretory Pathway Kinase (FAM20C) ectokinase, as if their concentration was already not limiting for the phosphorylation reaction to occur. CONCLUSIONS The volume of the extracellular environment plays a role in the process of extracellular phosphorylation due to its effect on the concentration of substrates, enzymes and co-factors. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Thus, the biological role of extracellular phosphoregulation may be better appreciated within a microfluidic culture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Rui
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Meihua Cui
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Sebastian Martewicz
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Manli Hu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova 35129, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova 35129, Italy; Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Camilla Luni
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, Bologna 40131, Italy.
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13
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Luni C, Gagliano O, Elvassore N. Derivation and Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Microfluidic Devices. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2022; 24:231-248. [PMID: 35378044 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-092021-042744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
An integrative approach based on microfluidic design and stem cell biology enables capture of the spatial-temporal environmental evolution underpinning epigenetic remodeling and the morphogenetic process. We examine the body of literature that encompasses microfluidic applications where human induced pluripotent stem cells are derived starting from human somatic cells and where human pluripotent stem cells are differentiated into different cell types. We focus on recent studies where the intrinsic features of microfluidics have been exploited to control the reprogramming and differentiation trajectory at the microscale, including the capability of manipulating the fluid velocity field, mass transport regime, and controllable composition within micro- to nanoliter volumes in space and time. We also discuss studies of emerging microfluidic technologies and applications. Finally, we critically discuss perspectives and challenges in the field and how these could be instrumental for bringing about significant biological advances in the field of stem cell engineering. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, Volume 24 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Luni
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy;
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; , .,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; , .,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy.,Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Yadav V, Senapati S, Chang HC. Ion-Depleting Action of Perm-Selective Membranes for Enhancing Electrical Communication and Gated Ion Channel Activity in Cell Cultures. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 8:4618-4621. [PMID: 34932307 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ion-depletion action of an ion-selective membrane produces a moat channel that electrically insulates a cell colony and elevates the cell medium potential uniformly to synchronously activate and deactivate the voltage-gated ion channels of all cells. The result is robust synchronization with strong intercellular electrical communication and the discovery of ion channel deactivation that is only possible when the cells are in communication. The study suggests that the collective response of a cell colony to external stimuli is distinct from that of a single cell. Cell proliferation must hence be guided with strong intercellular communication and proper exogenous stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Yadav
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Satyajyoti Senapati
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States.,Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Hsueh-Chia Chang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States.,Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States.,Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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15
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Gagliano O, Luni C, Li Y, Angiolillo S, Qin W, Panariello F, Cacchiarelli D, Takahashi JS, Elvassore N. Synchronization between peripheral circadian clock and feeding-fasting cycles in microfluidic device sustains oscillatory pattern of transcriptome. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6185. [PMID: 34702819 PMCID: PMC8548598 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian system cyclically regulates many physiological and behavioral processes within the day. Desynchronization between physiological and behavioral rhythms increases the risk of developing some, including metabolic, disorders. Here we investigate how the oscillatory nature of metabolic signals, resembling feeding-fasting cycles, sustains the cell-autonomous clock in peripheral tissues. By controlling the timing, period and frequency of glucose and insulin signals via microfluidics, we find a strong effect on Per2::Luc fibroblasts entrainment. We show that the circadian Per2 expression is better sustained via a 24 h period and 12 h:12 h frequency-encoded metabolic stimulation applied for 3 daily cycles, aligned to the cell-autonomous clock, entraining the expression of hundreds of genes mostly belonging to circadian rhythms and cell cycle pathways. On the contrary misaligned feeding-fasting cycles synchronize and amplify the expression of extracellular matrix-associated genes, aligned during the light phase. This study underlines the role of the synchronicity between life-style-associated metabolic signals and peripheral clocks on the circadian entrainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onelia Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Camilla Luni
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Silvia Angiolillo
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Wei Qin
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Panariello
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Cacchiarelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Joseph S Takahashi
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy.
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Section, University College London GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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16
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Prasanna P, Rathee S, Rahul V, Mandal D, Chandra Goud MS, Yadav P, Hawthorne S, Sharma A, Gupta PK, Ojha S, Jha NK, Villa C, Jha SK. Microfluidic Platforms to Unravel Mysteries of Alzheimer's Disease: How Far Have We Come? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101022. [PMID: 34685393 PMCID: PMC8537508 DOI: 10.3390/life11101022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a significant health concern with enormous social and economic impact globally. The gradual deterioration of cognitive functions and irreversible neuronal losses are primary features of the disease. Even after decades of research, most therapeutic options are merely symptomatic, and drugs in clinical practice present numerous side effects. Lack of effective diagnostic techniques prevents the early prognosis of disease, resulting in a gradual deterioration in the quality of life. Furthermore, the mechanism of cognitive impairment and AD pathophysiology is poorly understood. Microfluidics exploits different microscale properties of fluids to mimic environments on microfluidic chip-like devices. These miniature multichambered devices can be used to grow cells and 3D tissues in vitro, analyze cell-to-cell communication, decipher the roles of neural cells such as microglia, and gain insights into AD pathophysiology. This review focuses on the applications and impact of microfluidics on AD research. We discuss the technical challenges and possible solutions provided by this new cutting-edge technique to understand disease-associated pathways and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Prasanna
- School of Applied Sciences, KK University, Nalanda 803115, Bihar, India;
- Correspondence: or (P.P.); (S.K.J.)
| | - Shweta Rathee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Sonipat 131028, Haryana, India;
| | - Vedanabhatla Rahul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India;
| | - Debabrata Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur 844101, Bihar, India;
| | | | - Pardeep Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
| | - Susan Hawthorne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co., Londonderry BT52 1SA, UK;
| | - Ankur Sharma
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Science and Research (SBSR), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (A.S.); (P.K.G.)
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Science and Research (SBSR), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (A.S.); (P.K.G.)
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
- Correspondence: or (P.P.); (S.K.J.)
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17
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Last A, Maurer M, S. Mosig A, S. Gresnigt M, Hube B. In vitro infection models to study fungal-host interactions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuab005. [PMID: 33524102 PMCID: PMC8498566 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections (mycoses) affect over a billion people per year. Approximately, two million of these infections are life-threatening, especially for patients with a compromised immune system. Fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Candida, Histoplasma and Cryptococcus are opportunistic pathogens that contribute to a substantial number of mycoses. To optimize the diagnosis and treatment of mycoses, we need to understand the complex fungal-host interplay during pathogenesis, the fungal attributes causing virulence and how the host resists infection via immunological defenses. In vitro models can be used to mimic fungal infections of various tissues and organs and the corresponding immune responses at near-physiological conditions. Furthermore, models can include fungal interactions with the host-microbiota to mimic the in vivo situation on skin and mucosal surfaces. This article reviews currently used in vitro models of fungal infections ranging from cell monolayers to microfluidic 3D organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms. We also discuss how OOC models can expand the toolbox for investigating interactions of fungi and their human hosts in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Last
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Michelle Maurer
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Jena University Hospital, Nonnenplan 2,07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander S. Mosig
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Jena University Hospital, Nonnenplan 2,07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Mark S. Gresnigt
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Neugasse 24, 07743, Jena, Germany
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18
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Zheng F, Xiao Y, Liu H, Fan Y, Dao M. Patient-Specific Organoid and Organ-on-a-Chip: 3D Cell-Culture Meets 3D Printing and Numerical Simulation. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000024. [PMID: 33856745 PMCID: PMC8243895 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The last few decades have witnessed diversified in vitro models to recapitulate the architecture and function of living organs or tissues and contribute immensely to advances in life science. Two novel 3D cell culture models: 1) Organoid, promoted mainly by the developments of stem cell biology and 2) Organ-on-a-chip, enhanced primarily due to microfluidic technology, have emerged as two promising approaches to advance the understanding of basic biological principles and clinical treatments. This review describes the comparable distinct differences between these two models and provides more insights into their complementarity and integration to recognize their merits and limitations for applicable fields. The convergence of the two approaches to produce multi-organoid-on-a-chip or human organoid-on-a-chip is emerging as a new approach for building 3D models with higher physiological relevance. Furthermore, rapid advancements in 3D printing and numerical simulations, which facilitate the design, manufacture, and results-translation of 3D cell culture models, can also serve as novel tools to promote the development and propagation of organoid and organ-on-a-chip systems. Current technological challenges and limitations, as well as expert recommendations and future solutions to address the promising combinations by incorporating organoids, organ-on-a-chip, 3D printing, and numerical simulation, are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyin Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yuminghao Xiao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yubo Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ming Dao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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19
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Vollertsen AR, Den SAT, Schwach V, van den Berg A, Passier R, van der Meer AD, Odijk M. Highly parallelized human embryonic stem cell differentiation to cardiac mesoderm in nanoliter chambers on a microfluidic chip. Biomed Microdevices 2021; 23:30. [PMID: 34059973 PMCID: PMC8166733 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-021-00556-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human stem cell-derived cells and tissues hold considerable potential for applications in regenerative medicine, disease modeling and drug discovery. The generation, culture and differentiation of stem cells in low-volume, automated and parallelized microfluidic chips hold great promise to accelerate the research in this domain. Here, we show that we can differentiate human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to early cardiac mesodermal cells in microfluidic chambers that have a volume of only 30 nanoliters, using discontinuous medium perfusion. 64 of these chambers were parallelized on a chip which contained integrated valves to spatiotemporally isolate the chambers and automate cell culture medium exchanges. To confirm cell pluripotency, we tracked hESC proliferation and immunostained the cells for pluripotency markers SOX2 and OCT3/4. During differentiation, we investigated the effect of different medium perfusion frequencies on cell reorganization and the expression of the early cardiac mesoderm reporter MESP1mCherry by live-cell imaging. Our study demonstrates that microfluidic technology can be used to automatically culture, differentiate and study hESC in very low-volume culture chambers even without continuous medium perfusion. This result is an important step towards further automation and parallelization in stem cell technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke R Vollertsen
- BIOS Lab On a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck - University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Simone A Ten Den
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Verena Schwach
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Albert van den Berg
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Andries D van der Meer
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Odijk
- BIOS Lab On a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck - University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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20
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Selmin G, Gagliano O, De Coppi P, Serena E, Urciuolo A, Elvassore N. MYOD modified mRNA drives direct on-chip programming of human pluripotent stem cells into skeletal myocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 560:139-145. [PMID: 33989905 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Drug screening and disease modelling for skeletal muscle related pathologies would strongly benefit from the integration of myogenic cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells within miniaturized cell culture devices, such as microfluidic platform. Here, we identified the optimal culture conditions that allow direct differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in myogenic cells within microfluidic devices. Myogenic cells are efficiently derived from both human embryonic (hESC) or induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) in eleven days by combining small molecules and non-integrating modified mRNA (mmRNA) encoding for the master myogenic transcription factor MYOD. Our work opens new perspective for the development of patient-specific platforms in which a one-step myogenic differentiation could be used to generate skeletal muscle on-a-chip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Selmin
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N1EH, London, UK
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129, Padova, Italy; Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N1EH, London, UK
| | - Elena Serena
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Urciuolo
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N1EH, London, UK; Molecular Medicine Department, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N1EH, London, UK; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129, Padova, Italy; Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy.
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21
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Ustun M, Rahmani Dabbagh S, Ilci IS, Bagci-Onder T, Tasoglu S. Glioma-on-a-Chip Models. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:490. [PMID: 33926127 PMCID: PMC8145995 DOI: 10.3390/mi12050490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Glioma, as an aggressive type of cancer, accounts for virtually 80% of malignant brain tumors. Despite advances in therapeutic approaches, the long-term survival of glioma patients is poor (it is usually fatal within 12-14 months). Glioma-on-chip platforms, with continuous perfusion, mimic in vivo metabolic functions of cancer cells for analytical purposes. This offers an unprecedented opportunity for understanding the underlying reasons that arise glioma, determining the most effective radiotherapy approach, testing different drug combinations, and screening conceivable side effects of drugs on other organs. Glioma-on-chip technologies can ultimately enhance the efficacy of treatments, promote the survival rate of patients, and pave a path for personalized medicine. In this perspective paper, we briefly review the latest developments of glioma-on-chip technologies, such as therapy applications, drug screening, and cell behavior studies, and discuss the current challenges as well as future research directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Ustun
- Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Irem Sultan Ilci
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Brain Cancer Research and Therapy Lab, Koç University School of Medicine, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Savas Tasoglu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Bogazici University, Bebek, 34342 Istanbul, Turkey
- Boğaziçi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Çengelköy, 34684 Istanbul, Turkey
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22
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Kohl Y, Biehl M, Spring S, Hesler M, Ogourtsov V, Todorovic M, Owen J, Elje E, Kopecka K, Moriones OH, Bastús NG, Simon P, Dubaj T, Rundén-Pran E, Puntes V, William N, von Briesen H, Wagner S, Kapur N, Mariussen E, Nelson A, Gabelova A, Dusinska M, Velten T, Knoll T. Microfluidic In Vitro Platform for (Nano)Safety and (Nano)Drug Efficiency Screening. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2006012. [PMID: 33458959 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic technology is a valuable tool for realizing more in vitro models capturing cellular and organ level responses for rapid and animal-free risk assessment of new chemicals and drugs. Microfluidic cell-based devices allow high-throughput screening and flexible automation while lowering costs and reagent consumption due to their miniaturization. There is a growing need for faster and animal-free approaches for drug development and safety assessment of chemicals (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances, REACH). The work presented describes a microfluidic platform for in vivo-like in vitro cell cultivation. It is equipped with a wafer-based silicon chip including integrated electrodes and a microcavity. A proof-of-concept using different relevant cell models shows its suitability for label-free assessment of cytotoxic effects. A miniaturized microscope within each module monitors cell morphology and proliferation. Electrodes integrated in the microfluidic channels allow the noninvasive monitoring of barrier integrity followed by a label-free assessment of cytotoxic effects. Each microfluidic cell cultivation module can be operated individually or be interconnected in a flexible way. The interconnection of the different modules aims at simulation of the whole-body exposure and response and can contribute to the replacement of animal testing in risk assessment studies in compliance with the 3Rs to replace, reduce, and refine animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Kohl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Margit Biehl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Sarah Spring
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Michelle Hesler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Vladimir Ogourtsov
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Dyke Parade, Cork, T12 R5CP, Ireland
| | - Miomir Todorovic
- Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Dyke Parade, Cork, T12 R5CP, Ireland
| | - Joshua Owen
- Institute of Thermofluids, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Elisabeth Elje
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department for Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects Laboratory, Instituttveien 18, Kjeller, 2007, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 9, Oslo, 0372, Norway
| | - Kristina Kopecka
- Department of Nanobiology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, 84505, Slovakia
| | - Oscar Hernando Moriones
- Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus G Bastús
- Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Simon
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology SUT, Radlinskeho 9, Bratislava, 812 37, Slovakia
| | - Tibor Dubaj
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology SUT, Radlinskeho 9, Bratislava, 812 37, Slovakia
| | - Elise Rundén-Pran
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department for Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects Laboratory, Instituttveien 18, Kjeller, 2007, Norway
| | - Victor Puntes
- Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Barcelona, Spain
- Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Nicola William
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hagen von Briesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Sylvia Wagner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Nikil Kapur
- Institute of Thermofluids, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Espen Mariussen
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department for Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects Laboratory, Instituttveien 18, Kjeller, 2007, Norway
| | - Andrew Nelson
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Alena Gabelova
- Department of Nanobiology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, 84505, Slovakia
| | - Maria Dusinska
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Department for Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects Laboratory, Instituttveien 18, Kjeller, 2007, Norway
| | - Thomas Velten
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
| | - Thorsten Knoll
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, Sulzbach, 66280, Germany
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23
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Hosseini V, Mallone A, Nasrollahi F, Ostrovidov S, Nasiri R, Mahmoodi M, Haghniaz R, Baidya A, Salek MM, Darabi MA, Orive G, Shamloo A, Dokmeci MR, Ahadian S, Khademhosseini A. Healthy and diseased in vitro models of vascular systems. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:641-659. [PMID: 33507199 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00464b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Irregular hemodynamics affects the progression of various vascular diseases, such atherosclerosis or aneurysms. Despite the extensive hemodynamics studies on animal models, the inter-species differences between humans and animals hamper the translation of such findings. Recent advances in vascular tissue engineering and the suitability of in vitro models for interim analysis have increased the use of in vitro human vascular tissue models. Although the effect of flow on endothelial cell (EC) pathophysiology and EC-flow interactions have been vastly studied in two-dimensional systems, they cannot be used to understand the effect of other micro- and macro-environmental parameters associated with vessel wall diseases. To generate an ideal in vitro model of the vascular system, essential criteria should be included: 1) the presence of smooth muscle cells or perivascular cells underneath an EC monolayer, 2) an elastic mechanical response of tissue to pulsatile flow pressure, 3) flow conditions that accurately mimic the hemodynamics of diseases, and 4) geometrical features required for pathophysiological flow. In this paper, we review currently available in vitro models that include flow dynamics and discuss studies that have tried to address the criteria mentioned above. Finally, we critically review in vitro fluidic models of atherosclerosis, aneurysm, and thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Hosseini
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Anna Mallone
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich CH-8952, Switzerland
| | - Fatemeh Nasrollahi
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Serge Ostrovidov
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rohollah Nasiri
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 1136511155, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Mahmoodi
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd 8915813135, Iran
| | - Reihaneh Haghniaz
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Avijit Baidya
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - M Mehdi Salek
- School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mohammad Ali Darabi
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz 01006, Spain and Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Vitoria-Gasteiz 01007, Spain
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 1136511155, Iran
| | - Mehmet R Dokmeci
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
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24
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Nikolakopoulou P, Rauti R, Voulgaris D, Shlomy I, Maoz BM, Herland A. Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system. Brain 2020; 143:3181-3213. [PMID: 33020798 PMCID: PMC7719033 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. 'organ-on-a-chip' systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Iftach Shlomy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Herland
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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25
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Quan Y, Sun M, Tan Z, Eijkel JCT, van den Berg A, van der Meer A, Xie Y. Organ-on-a-chip: the next generation platform for risk assessment of radiobiology. RSC Adv 2020; 10:39521-39530. [PMID: 35515392 PMCID: PMC9057494 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05173j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip devices have been widely used in biomedical science and technology, for example for experimental regenerative medicine and precision healthcare. The main advantage of organ-on-a-chip technology is the facility to build a specific human model that has functional responses on the level of organs or tissues, thereby avoiding the use of animal models, as well as greatly improving new drug discovery processes for personal healthcare. An emerging application domain for organs-on-chips is the study of internal irradiation for humans, which faces the challenges of the lack of a clear model for risk estimation of internal irradiation. We believe that radiobiology studies will benefit from organ-on-a-chip technology by building specific human organ/tissues in vitro. In this paper, we briefly reviewed the state-of-the-art in organ-on-a-chip research in different domains, and conclude with the challenges of radiobiology studies at internal low-dose irradiation. Organ-on-a-chip technology has the potential to significantly improve the radiobiology study as it can mimic the function of human organs or tissues, and here we summarize its potential benefits and possible breakthrough areas, as well as its limitations in internal low-dose radiation studies. Organ-on-a-chip technology has great potential for the next generation risk estimation of low dose internal irradiation, due to its success in mimicking human organs/tissues, which possibly can significantly improve on current animal models.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Quan
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) Mianyang Sichuan 621000 China
| | - Miao Sun
- Joint Laboratory of Nanofluidics and Interfaces, School of Physical and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an Shaanxi 710072 China
| | - Zhaoyi Tan
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) Mianyang Sichuan 621000 China
| | - Jan C T Eijkel
- BIOS, Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institution for Nanotechnology, University of Twente 7522 NB Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS, Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institution for Nanotechnology, University of Twente 7522 NB Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Andries van der Meer
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, University of Twente 7522 NB Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Yanbo Xie
- Joint Laboratory of Nanofluidics and Interfaces, School of Physical and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an Shaanxi 710072 China
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26
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Richardson L, Kim S, Menon R, Han A. Organ-On-Chip Technology: The Future of Feto-Maternal Interface Research? Front Physiol 2020; 11:715. [PMID: 32695021 PMCID: PMC7338764 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta and fetal membrane act as a protective barrier throughout pregnancy while maintaining communication and nutrient exchange between the baby and the mother. Disruption of this barrier leads to various pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, which can have lasting negative consequences. Thus, understanding the role of the feto-maternal interface during pregnancy and parturition is vital to advancing basic and clinical research in the field of obstetrics. However, human subject studies are inherently difficult, and appropriate animal models are lacking. Due to these challenges, in vitro cell culture-based studies are most commonly utilized. However, the structure and functions of conventionally used in vitro 2D and 3D models are vastly different from the in vivo environment, making it difficult to fully understand the various factors affecting pregnancy as well as pathways and mechanisms contributing to term and preterm births. This limitation also makes it difficult to develop new therapeutics. The emergence of in vivo-like in vitro models such as organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms can better recapitulate in vivo functions and responses and has the potential to move this field forward significantly. OOC technology brings together two distinct fields, microfluidic engineering and cell/tissue biology, through which diverse human organ structures and functionalities can be built into a laboratory model that better mimics functions and responses of in vivo tissues and organs. In this review, we first provide an overview of the OOC technology, highlight two major designs commonly used in achieving multi-layer co-cultivation of cells, and introduce recently developed OOC models of the feto-maternal interface. As a vital component of this review, we aim to outline progress on the practicality and effectiveness of feto-maternal interface OOC (FM-OOC) models currently used and the advances they have fostered in obstetrics research. Lastly, we provide a perspective on the future basic research and clinical applications of FM-OOC models, and even those that integrate multiple organ systems into a single OOC system that may recreate intrauterine architecture in its entirety, which will accelerate our understanding of feto-maternal communication, induction of preterm labor, drug or toxicant permeability at this vital interface, and development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Richardson
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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27
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Wang K, Man K, Liu J, Liu Y, Chen Q, Zhou Y, Yang Y. Microphysiological Systems: Design, Fabrication, and Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3231-3257. [PMID: 33204830 PMCID: PMC7668566 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems, including organoids, 3-D printed tissue constructs and organ-on-a-chips (organ chips), are physiologically relevant in vitro models and have experienced explosive growth in the past decades. Different from conventional, tissue culture plastic-based in vitro models or animal models, microphysiological systems recapitulate key microenvironmental characteristics of human organs and mimic their primary functions. The advent of microphysiological systems is attributed to evolving biomaterials, micro-/nanotechnologies and stem cell biology, which enable the precise control over the matrix properties and the interactions between cells, tissues and organs in physiological conditions. As such, microphysiological systems have been developed to model a broad spectrum of organs from microvasculature, eye, to lung and many others to understand human organ development and disease pathology and facilitate drug discovery. Multiorgans-on-a-chip systems have also been developed by integrating multiple associated organ chips in a single platform, which allows to study and employ the organ function in a systematic approach. Here we first discuss the design principles of microphysiological systems with a focus on the anatomy and physiology of organs, and then review the commonly used fabrication techniques and biomaterials for microphysiological systems. Subsequently, we discuss the recent development of microphysiological systems, and provide our perspectives on advancing microphysiological systems for preclinical investigation and drug discovery of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Kun Man
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Yang Liu
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, United States
| | - Qi Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
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28
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Waheed S, Noreen S, Tripathi D, Lu DC. Electrothermal transport of third-order fluids regulated by peristaltic pumping. J Biol Phys 2020; 46:45-65. [PMID: 32052248 PMCID: PMC7098401 DOI: 10.1007/s10867-020-09540-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of heat and electroosmotic characteristics in the flow of a third-order fluid regulated by peristaltic pumping is examined by using governing equations, i.e., the continuity equation, momentum equation, energy equation, and concentration equation. The wavelength is considered long compared to its height and a low Reynolds number is assumed. The velocity slip condition is employed. Analytical solutions are performed through the perturbation technique. The expressions for the dimensionless velocity components, temperature, concentration, and heat transfer rate are obtained. Pumping features were computed numerically for discussion of results. Trapping and heat transfer coefficient distributions were also studied graphically. The findings of the present study can be applied to design biomicrofluidic devices like tumor-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Waheed
- Department of Mathematics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road, Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan
| | - S Noreen
- Department of Mathematics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road, Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan.
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
| | - D Tripathi
- Department of Mathematics, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, 246174, India
| | - D C Lu
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
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29
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Coln EA, Colon A, Long CJ, Sriram NN, Esch M, Prot JM, Elbrecht DH, Wang Y, Jackson M, Shuler ML, Hickman JJ. Piezoelectric BioMEMS Cantilever for Measurement of Muscle Contraction and for Actuation of Mechanosensitive Cells. MRS COMMUNICATIONS 2019; 9:1186-1192. [PMID: 33777497 PMCID: PMC7995331 DOI: 10.1557/mrc.2019.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A piezoelectric biomedical microelectromechanical system (bioMEMS) cantilever device was designed and fabricated to act as either a sensing element for muscle tissue contraction or as an actuator to apply mechanical force to cells. The sensing ability of the piezoelectric cantilevers was shown by monitoring the electrical signal generated from the piezoelectric aluminum nitride in response to the contraction of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes cultured on the piezoelectric cantilevers. Actuation was demonstrated by applying electrical pulses to the piezoelectric cantilever and observing bending via an optical detection method. This piezoelectric cantilever device was designed to be incorporated into body-on-a-chip systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Coln
- Hybrid Systems Laboratory, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, 4328 Scorpius St., Orlando, FL 32816
| | - Alisha Colon
- Hybrid Systems Laboratory, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826
| | | | | | - Mandy Esch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Jean-Matthieu Prot
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Daniel H. Elbrecht
- Hybrid Systems Laboratory, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Max Jackson
- Hesperos, Inc., 3259 Progress Drive #158, Orlando, FL 32826
| | - Michael L. Shuler
- Hesperos, Inc., 3259 Progress Drive #158, Orlando, FL 32826
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - James J. Hickman
- Hybrid Systems Laboratory, University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, 4328 Scorpius St., Orlando, FL 32816
- Hesperos, Inc., 3259 Progress Drive #158, Orlando, FL 32826
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30
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Tanaka Y, Funano SI, Noguchi Y, Yalikun Y, Kamamichi N. A valve powered by earthworm muscle with both electrical and 100% chemical control. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8042. [PMID: 31285453 PMCID: PMC6614428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of bio-microactuators combining microdevices and cellular mechanical functions has been an active research field owing to their desirable properties including high mechanical integrity and biocompatibility. Although various types of devices were reported, the use of as-is natural muscle tissue should be more effective. An earthworm muscle-driven valve has been created. Long-time (more than 2 min) and repeatable displacement was observed by chemical (acetylcholine) stimulation. The generated force of the muscle (1 cm × 3 cm) was 1.57 mN on average for 2 min by the acetylcholine solution (100 mM) stimulation. We demonstrated an on-chip valve that stopped the constant pressure flow by the muscle contraction. For electrical control, short pulse stimulation was used for the continuous and repeatable muscle contraction. The response time was 3 s, and the pressure resistance was 3.0 kPa. Chemical stimulation was then used for continuous muscle contraction. The response time was 42 s, and the pressure resistance was 1.5 kPa. The ON (closed) state was kept for at least 2 min. An on-chip valve was demonstrated that stopped the constant pressure flow by the muscle contraction. This is the first demonstration of the muscle-based valve that is 100% chemically actuated and controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Tanaka
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Shun-Ichi Funano
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuji Noguchi
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, Tokyo Denki University, 5 Senju-asahi-cho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, 120-8551, Japan
| | - Yaxiaer Yalikun
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), RIKEN, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kamamichi
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, Tokyo Denki University, 5 Senju-asahi-cho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, 120-8551, Japan
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31
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Abstract
The use of hydrogels in biomedical applications dates back multiple decades, and the engineering potential of these materials continues to grow with discoveries in chemistry and biology. The approaches have led to increasing complex hydrogels that incorporate both synthetic and natural polymers and functional domains for tunable release kinetics, mediated cell response, and ultimately use in clinical and research applications in biomedical practice. This review focuses on recent advances in hybrid hydrogels that incorporate nano/microstructures, their synthesis, and applications in biomedical research. Examples discussed include the implementation of click reactions, photopatterning, and 3D printing for the facile production of these hybrid hydrogels, the use of biological molecules and motifs to promote a desired cellular outcome, and the tailoring of kinetic and transport behavior through hybrid-hydrogel engineering to achieve desired biomedical outcomes. Recent progress in the field has established promising approaches for the development of biologically relevant hybrid hydrogel materials with potential applications in drug discovery, drug/gene delivery, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa L. Palmese
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Raj Kumar Thapa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Millicent O. Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Kristi L. Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
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32
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Ruzycka M, Cimpan MR, Rios-Mondragon I, Grudzinski IP. Microfluidics for studying metastatic patterns of lung cancer. J Nanobiotechnology 2019; 17:71. [PMID: 31133019 PMCID: PMC6537392 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of lung cancer continues to rise worldwide. Because the aggressive metastasis of lung cancer cells is the major drawback of successful therapies, the crucial challenge of modern nanomedicine is to develop diagnostic tools to map the molecular mechanisms of metastasis in lung cancer patients. In recent years, microfluidic platforms have been given much attention as tools for novel point-of-care diagnostic, an important aspect being the reconstruction of the body organs and tissues mimicking the in vivo conditions in one simple microdevice. Herein, we present the first comprehensive overview of the microfluidic systems used as innovative tools in the studies of lung cancer metastasis including single cancer cell analysis, endothelial transmigration, distant niches migration and finally neoangiogenesis. The application of the microfluidic systems to study the intercellular crosstalk between lung cancer cells and surrounding tumor microenvironment and the connection with multiple molecular signals coming from the external cellular matrix are discussed. We also focus on recent breakthrough technologies regarding lab-on-chip devices that serve as tools for detecting circulating lung cancer cells. The superiority of microfluidic systems over traditional in vitro cell-based assays with regard to modern nanosafety studies and new cancer drug design and discovery is also addressed. Finally, the current progress and future challenges regarding printable and paper-based microfluidic devices for personalized nanomedicine are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ruzycka
- Department of Applied Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mihaela R Cimpan
- Biomaterials - Department for Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 19, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ivan Rios-Mondragon
- Biomaterials - Department for Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 19, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ireneusz P Grudzinski
- Department of Applied Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
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33
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Squillace O, Esnault C, Pilard JF, Brotons G. Electrodes for Membrane Surface Science. Bilayer Lipid Membranes Tethered by Commercial Surfactants on Electrochemical Sensors. ACS Sens 2019; 4:1337-1345. [PMID: 30977639 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.9b00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Commercial surfactants, which are inexpensive and abundant, were covalently grafted to flat and transparent electrodes, and it appears to be a simple functionalization route to design biomembrane sensors at large-scale production. Sparsely tethered bilayer lipid membranes (stBLM) were stabilized using such molecular coatings composed of diluted anchor-harpoon surfactants that grab the membrane with an alkyl chain out of a PEGylated-hydrogel layer, which acts as a soft hydration cushion. The goal of avoiding the synthesis of complex organic molecules to scale up sensors was achieved here by grafting nonionic diblock oligomers (Brij58 = C xH2 x+1(OCH2CH2) nOH with x = 16 and n = 23) and PEO short chains ((OCH2CH2) nOH with n = 9 and n = 23) from their hydroxyl (-OH) end-moiety to a monolayer of -Ar-SO2Cl groups, which are easy to form on electrodes (metals, semiconducting materials, ...) from aryl-diazonium salt reduction. A hybrid molecular coating on gold, with scarce Ar-SO2-Brij58 and PEO oligomers, was used to monitor immobilization and fusion kinetics of DOPC small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) by both quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques. Using flat and transparent thin chromium film electrodes, we designed biosensors to couple surface sensitive techniques for membranes, including X-ray reflectivity (XRR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) with subnanometer resolution, and optical microscopy, such as fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements (FRAP), in addition to electrochemistry techniques (cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)). The advantages of this biomembrane-sensing platform are discussed for research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Squillace
- IMMM, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Le Mans Université—UFR Sciences et Techniques, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France
| | - Charles Esnault
- IMMM, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Le Mans Université—UFR Sciences et Techniques, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France
| | - Jean-François Pilard
- IMMM, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Le Mans Université—UFR Sciences et Techniques, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France
| | - Guillaume Brotons
- IMMM, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Le Mans Université—UFR Sciences et Techniques, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France
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34
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Li K, Yang X, Xue C, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Gao X. Biomimetic human lung-on-a-chip for modeling disease investigation. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:031501. [PMID: 31263514 PMCID: PMC6597342 DOI: 10.1063/1.5100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The lung is the primary respiratory organ of the human body and has a complicated and precise tissue structure. It comprises conductive airways formed by the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, and many alveoli, the smallest functional units where gas-exchange occurs via the unique gas-liquid exchange interface known as the respiratory membrane. In vitro bionic simulation of the lung or its microenvironment, therefore, presents a great challenge, which requires the joint efforts of anatomy, physics, material science, cell biology, tissue engineering, and other disciplines. With the development of micromachining and miniaturization technology, the concept of a microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip has received great attention. An organ-on-a-chip is a small cell-culture device that can accurately simulate tissue and organ functions in vitro and has the potential to replace animal models in evaluations of drug toxicity and efficacy. A lung-on-a-chip, as one of the first proposed and developed organs-on-a-chip, provides new strategies for designing a bionic lung cell microenvironment and for in vitro construction of lung disease models, and it is expected to promote the development of basic research and translational medicine in drug evaluation, toxicological detection, and disease model-building for the lung. This review summarizes current lungs-on-a-chip models based on the lung-related cellular microenvironment, including the latest advances described in studies of lung injury, inflammation, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis. This model should see effective use in clinical medicine to promote the development of precision medicine and individualized diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyan Li
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xingyuan Yang
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chang Xue
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | | | - Xinghua Gao
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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35
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Li K, Yang X, Xue C, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Gao X. Biomimetic human lung-on-a-chip for modeling disease investigation. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019. [PMID: 31263514 DOI: 10.1063/1.5119052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The lung is the primary respiratory organ of the human body and has a complicated and precise tissue structure. It comprises conductive airways formed by the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, and many alveoli, the smallest functional units where gas-exchange occurs via the unique gas-liquid exchange interface known as the respiratory membrane. In vitro bionic simulation of the lung or its microenvironment, therefore, presents a great challenge, which requires the joint efforts of anatomy, physics, material science, cell biology, tissue engineering, and other disciplines. With the development of micromachining and miniaturization technology, the concept of a microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip has received great attention. An organ-on-a-chip is a small cell-culture device that can accurately simulate tissue and organ functions in vitro and has the potential to replace animal models in evaluations of drug toxicity and efficacy. A lung-on-a-chip, as one of the first proposed and developed organs-on-a-chip, provides new strategies for designing a bionic lung cell microenvironment and for in vitro construction of lung disease models, and it is expected to promote the development of basic research and translational medicine in drug evaluation, toxicological detection, and disease model-building for the lung. This review summarizes current lungs-on-a-chip models based on the lung-related cellular microenvironment, including the latest advances described in studies of lung injury, inflammation, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis. This model should see effective use in clinical medicine to promote the development of precision medicine and individualized diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyan Li
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xingyuan Yang
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chang Xue
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | | | - Xinghua Gao
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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36
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Walker MJ, Bourke J, Hutchison K. Evidence for personalised medicine: mechanisms, correlation, and new kinds of black box. THEORETICAL MEDICINE AND BIOETHICS 2019; 40:103-121. [PMID: 30771062 DOI: 10.1007/s11017-019-09482-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Personalised medicine (PM) has been discussed as a medical paradigm shift that will improve health while reducing inefficiency and waste. At the same time, it raises new practical, regulatory, and ethical challenges. In this paper, we examine PM strategies epistemologically in order to develop capacities to address these challenges, focusing on a recently proposed strategy for developing patient-specific models from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) so as to make individualised treatment predictions. We compare this strategy to two main PM strategies-stratified medicine and computational models. Drawing on epistemological work in the philosophy of medicine, we explain why these two methods, while powerful, are neither truly personalised nor, epistemologically speaking, novel strategies. Both are forms of correlational black box. We then argue that the iPSC models would count as a new kind of black box. They would not rely entirely on mechanistic knowledge, and they would utilise correlational evidence in a different way from other strategies-a way that would enable personalised predictions. In arguing that the iPSC models would present a novel method of gaining evidence for clinical practice, we provide an epistemic analysis that can help to inform the practical, regulatory, and ethical challenges of developing an iPSC system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jean Walker
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - Justin Bourke
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Katrina Hutchison
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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37
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Gagliano O, Luni C, Qin W, Bertin E, Torchio E, Galvanin S, Urciuolo A, Elvassore N. Microfluidic reprogramming to pluripotency of human somatic cells. Nat Protoc 2019; 14:722-737. [PMID: 30809022 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0108-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have a number of potential applications in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, including precision medicine. However, their potential clinical application is hampered by the low efficiency, high costs, and heavy workload of the reprogramming process. Here we describe a protocol to reprogram human somatic cells to hiPSCs with high efficiency in 15 d using microfluidics. We successfully downscaled an 8-d protocol based on daily transfections of mRNA encoding for reprogramming factors and immune evasion proteins. Using this protocol, we obtain hiPSC colonies (up to 160 ± 20 mean ± s.d (n = 48)) in a single 27-mm2 microfluidic chamber) 15 d after seeding ~1,500 cells per independent chamber and under xeno-free defined conditions. Only ~20 µL of medium is required per day. The hiPSC colonies extracted from the microfluidic chamber do not require further stabilization because of the short lifetime of mRNA. The high success rate of reprogramming in microfluidics, under completely defined conditions, enables hundreds of cells to be simultaneously reprogrammed, with an ~100-fold reduction in costs of raw materials compared to those for standard multiwell culture conditions. This system also enables the generation of hiPSCs suitable for clinical translation or further research into the reprogramming process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onelia Gagliano
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Camilla Luni
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Enrica Bertin
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Erika Torchio
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Galvanin
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Urciuolo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. .,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy. .,Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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38
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Zhao Y, Kankala RK, Wang SB, Chen AZ. Multi-Organs-on-Chips: Towards Long-Term Biomedical Investigations. Molecules 2019; 24:E675. [PMID: 30769788 PMCID: PMC6412790 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24040675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With advantageous features such as minimizing the cost, time, and sample size requirements, organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems have garnered enormous interest from researchers for their ability for real-time monitoring of physical parameters by mimicking the in vivo microenvironment and the precise responses of xenobiotics, i.e., drug efficacy and toxicity over conventional two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, as well as animal models. Recent advancements of OOC systems have evidenced the fabrication of 'multi-organ-on-chip' (MOC) models, which connect separated organ chambers together to resemble an ideal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model for monitoring the complex interactions between multiple organs and the resultant dynamic responses of multiple organs to pharmaceutical compounds. Numerous varieties of MOC systems have been proposed, mainly focusing on the construction of these multi-organ models, while there are only few studies on how to realize continual, automated, and stable testing, which still remains a significant challenge in the development process of MOCs. Herein, this review emphasizes the recent advancements in realizing long-term testing of MOCs to promote their capability for real-time monitoring of multi-organ interactions and chronic cellular reactions more accurately and steadily over the available chip models. Efforts in this field are still ongoing for better performance in the assessment of preclinical attributes for a new chemical entity. Further, we give a brief overview on the various biomedical applications of long-term testing in MOCs, including several proposed applications and their potential utilization in the future. Finally, we summarize with perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Ranjith Kumar Kankala
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Shi-Bin Wang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Ai-Zheng Chen
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
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39
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Wnorowski A, Yang H, Wu JC. Progress, obstacles, and limitations in the use of stem cells in organ-on-a-chip models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 140:3-11. [PMID: 29885330 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, drug development costs have soared, primarily due to the failure of preclinical animal and cell culture models, which do not directly translate to human physiology. Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) is a burgeoning technology with the potential to revolutionize disease modeling, drug discovery, and toxicology research by strengthening the relevance of culture-based models while reducing costly animal studies. Although OOC models can incorporate a variety of tissue sources, the most robust and relevant OOC models going forward will include stem cells. In this review, we will highlight the benefits of stem cells as a tissue source while considering current limitations to their complete and effective implementation into OOC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Wnorowski
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Stanford, CA 943055, United States
| | - Huaxiao Yang
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, United States; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States; Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States.
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40
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van den Berg A, Mummery CL, Passier R, van der Meer AD. Personalised organs-on-chips: functional testing for precision medicine. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:198-205. [PMID: 30506070 PMCID: PMC6336148 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00827b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Organs-on-chips are microfluidic systems with controlled, dynamic microenvironments in which cultured cells exhibit functions that emulate organ-level physiology. They can in principle be 'personalised' to reflect individual physiology, for example by including blood samples, primary human tissue, and cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cells, as well as by tuning key physico-chemical parameters of the cell culture microenvironment based on personal health data. The personalised nature of such systems, combined with physiologically relevant read-outs, provides new opportunities for person-specific assessment of drug efficacy and safety, as well as personalised strategies for disease prevention and treatment; together, this is known as 'precision medicine'. There are multiple reports of how to personalise organs-on-chips, with examples including airway-on-a-chip systems containing primary patient alveolar epithelial cells, vessels-on-chips with shapes based on personal biomedical imaging data and lung-on-a-chip systems that can be exposed to various regimes of cigarette smoking. In addition, multi-organ chip systems even allow the systematic and dynamic integration of more complex combinations of personalised cell culture parameters. Current personalised organs-on-chips have not yet been used for precision medicine as such. The major challenges that affect the implementation of personalised organs-on-chips in precision medicine are related to obtaining access to personal samples and corresponding health data, as well as to obtaining data on patient outcomes that can confirm the predictive value of personalised organs-on-chips. We argue here that involving all biomedical stakeholders from clinicians and patients to pharmaceutical companies will be integral to transition personalised organs-on-chips to precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert van den Berg
- BIOS/Lab on a Chip
, University of Twente
,
The Netherlands
- Max Planck - University of Twente Center for Complex Fluids
,
The Netherlands
| | - Christine L. Mummery
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies
, University of Twente
,
Zuidhorst ZH127
, PO Box 217
, 7500 AE Enschede
, The Netherlands
.
; Tel: +31 53 489 8064
- Anatomy and Embryology
, Leiden University Medical Center
,
The Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies
, University of Twente
,
Zuidhorst ZH127
, PO Box 217
, 7500 AE Enschede
, The Netherlands
.
; Tel: +31 53 489 8064
| | - Andries D. van der Meer
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies
, University of Twente
,
Zuidhorst ZH127
, PO Box 217
, 7500 AE Enschede
, The Netherlands
.
; Tel: +31 53 489 8064
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41
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Zoso A, Zambon A, Gagliano O, Giulitti S, Prevedello L, Fadini GP, Luni C, Elvassore N. Cross-talk of healthy and impaired human tissues for dissection of disease pathogenesis. Biotechnol Prog 2018; 35:e2766. [PMID: 30548838 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2766] [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: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Systemic diseases affect multiple tissues that interact with each other within a network difficult to explore at the body level. However, understanding the interdependences between tissues could be of high relevance for drug target identification, especially at the first stages of disease development. In vitro systems have the advantages of accessibility to measurements and precise controllability of culture conditions, but currently have limitations in mimicking human in vivo systemic tissue response. In this work, we present an in vitro model of cross-talk between an ex vivo culture of adipose tissue from an obese donor and a skeletal muscle in vitro model from a healthy donor. This is relevant to understand type 2 diabetes mellitus pathogenesis, as obesity is one of its main risk factors. The human adipose tissue biopsy was maintained as a three-dimensional culture for 48 h. Its conditioned culture medium was used to stimulate a human skeletal muscle-on-chip, developed by differentiating primary cells of a patient's biopsy under topological cues and molecular self-regulation. This system has been characterized to demonstrate its ability to mimic important features of the normal skeletal muscle response in vivo. We then found that the conditioned medium from a diseased adipose tissue is able to perturb the normal insulin sensitivity of a healthy skeletal muscle, as reported in the early stages of diabetes onset. In perspective, this work represents an important step toward the development of technological platforms that allow to study and dissect the systemic interaction between unhealthy and healthy tissues in vitro. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2766, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Zoso
- Venetian Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Via Orus 2, Padova, 35129, Italy.,Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zambon
- Venetian Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Via Orus 2, Padova, 35129, Italy.,Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Venetian Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Via Orus 2, Padova, 35129, Italy.,Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Stefano Giulitti
- Venetian Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Via Orus 2, Padova, 35129, Italy.,Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy
| | - Luca Prevedello
- Dept. of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, 35124, Italy
| | | | - Camilla Luni
- Shanghai Inst. for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Venetian Inst. of Molecular Medicine, Via Orus 2, Padova, 35129, Italy.,Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy.,Shanghai Inst. for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China.,Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, U.K
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42
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Abstract
Microfluidics has played a vital role in developing novel methods to investigate biological phenomena at the molecular and cellular level during the last two decades. Microscale engineering of cellular systems is nevertheless a nascent field marked inherently by frequent disruptive advancements in technology such as PDMS-based soft lithography. Viable culture and manipulation of cells in microfluidic devices requires knowledge across multiple disciplines including molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. There has been numerous excellent reviews in the past 15 years on applications of microfluidics for molecular and cellular biology including microfluidic cell culture (Berthier et al., 2012; El-Ali, Sorger, & Jensen, 2006; Halldorsson et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2007; Mehling & Tay, 2014; Sackmann et al., 2014; Whitesides, 2006; Young & Beebe, 2010), cell culture models (Gupta et al., 2016; Inamdar & Borenstein, 2011; Meyvantsson & Beebe, 2008), cell secretion (Schrell et al., 2016), chemotaxis (Kim & Wu, 2012; Wu et al., 2013), neuron culture (Millet & Gillette, 2012a, 2012b), drug screening (Dittrich & Manz, 2006; Eribol, Uguz, & Ulgen, 2016; Wu, Huang, & Lee, 2010), cell sorting (Autebert et al., 2012; Bhagat et al., 2010; Gossett et al., 2010; Wyatt Shields Iv, Reyes, & López, 2015), single cell studies (Lecault et al., 2012; Reece et al., 2016; Yin & Marshall, 2012), stem cell biology (Burdick & Vunjak-Novakovic, 2009; Wu et al., 2011; Zhang & Austin, 2012), cell differentiation (Zhang et al., 2017a), systems biology (Breslauer, Lee, & Lee, 2006), 3D cell culture (Huh et al., 2011; Li et al., 2012; van Duinen et al., 2015), spheroids and organoids (Lee et al., 2016; Montanez-Sauri, Beebe, & Sung, 2015; Morimoto & Takeuchi, 2013; Skardal et al., 2016; Young, 2013), organ-on-chip (Bhatia & Ingber, 2014; Esch, Bahinski, & Huh, 2015; Huh et al., 2011; van der Meer & van den Berg, 2012), and tissue engineering (Andersson & Van Den Berg, 2004; Choi et al., 2007; Hasan et al., 2014). In this chapter, we provide an overview of PDMS-based microdevices for microfluidic cell culture. We discuss the advantages and challenges of using PDMS-based soft lithography for microfluidic cell culture and highlight recent progress and future directions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melikhan Tanyeri
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Savaş Tay
- Institute of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Institute of Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
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43
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Sosa-Hernández JE, Villalba-Rodríguez AM, Romero-Castillo KD, Aguilar-Aguila-Isaías MA, García-Reyes IE, Hernández-Antonio A, Ahmed I, Sharma A, Parra-Saldívar R, Iqbal HMN. Organs-on-a-Chip Module: A Review from the Development and Applications Perspective. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E536. [PMID: 30424469 PMCID: PMC6215144 DOI: 10.3390/mi9100536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, ever-increasing scientific knowledge and modern high-tech advancements in micro- and nano-scales fabrication technologies have impacted significantly on various scientific fields. A micro-level approach so-called "microfluidic technology" has rapidly evolved as a powerful tool for numerous applications with special reference to bioengineering and biomedical engineering research. Therefore, a transformative effect has been felt, for instance, in biological sample handling, analyte sensing cell-based assay, tissue engineering, molecular diagnostics, and drug screening, etc. Besides such huge multi-functional potentialities, microfluidic technology also offers the opportunity to mimic different organs to address the complexity of animal-based testing models effectively. The combination of fluid physics along with three-dimensional (3-D) cell compartmentalization has sustained popularity as organ-on-a-chip. In this context, simple humanoid model systems which are important for a wide range of research fields rely on the development of a microfluidic system. The basic idea is to provide an artificial testing subject that resembles the human body in every aspect. For instance, drug testing in the pharma industry is crucial to assure proper function. Development of microfluidic-based technology bridges the gap between in vitro and in vivo models offering new approaches to research in medicine, biology, and pharmacology, among others. This is also because microfluidic-based 3-D niche has enormous potential to accommodate cells/tissues to create a physiologically relevant environment, thus, bridge/fill in the gap between extensively studied animal models and human-based clinical trials. This review highlights principles, fabrication techniques, and recent progress of organs-on-chip research. Herein, we also point out some opportunities for microfluidic technology in the future research which is still infancy to accurately design, address and mimic the in vivo niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Angel M Villalba-Rodríguez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Kenya D Romero-Castillo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Mauricio A Aguilar-Aguila-Isaías
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Isaac E García-Reyes
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Arturo Hernández-Antonio
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Ishtiaq Ahmed
- School of Medical Science, Understanding Chronic Conditions Program, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus), Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia.
| | - Ashutosh Sharma
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Epigmenio Gonzalez 500, Queretaro CP 76130, Mexico.
| | - Roberto Parra-Saldívar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey CP 64849, N.L., Mexico.
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44
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Abstract
The blood vessel is part of the circulatory system, and systemic circulation provides the blood supply to all tissues. Arteries are pathways through which the blood is carried, and the capillaries have a key role in material exchange to maintain the tissue environment. Blood vessels have structures appropriate for their functions, and their sizes and cell types are different. In this review, we introduced recent studies of the microfluidic vascular models. The model structures are classified mainly as poly(dimethylsiloxane) and hydrogel microchannels and self-assembled networks. Basic phenomena and functions were realized in vascular models, including fluid shear stress, cell strain, interstitial flow, endothelial permeation, angiogenesis, and thrombosis. In some models, endothelial cells were co-cultured with smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts in an extracellular matrix. Examples of vascular models involving the brain, lung, liver, kidney, placenta, and cancer were also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kae Sato
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University
| | - Kiichi Sato
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, School of Science and Technology, Gunma University
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45
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Uhl C, Shi W, Liu Y. Organ-on-Chip Devices Toward Applications in Drug Development and Screening. J Med Device 2018. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4040272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
As a necessary pathway to man-made organs, organ-on-chips (OOC), which simulate the activities, mechanics, and physiological responses of real organs, have attracted plenty of attention over the past decade. As the maturity of three-dimensional (3D) cell-culture models and microfluidics advances, the study of OOCs has made significant progress. This review article provides a comprehensive overview and classification of OOC microfluidics. Specifically, the review focuses on OOC systems capable of being used in preclinical drug screening and development. Additionally, the review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each OOC system toward the goal of improved drug development and screening. The various OOC systems investigated throughout the review include, blood vessel, lung, liver, and tumor systems and the potential benefits, which each provides to the growing challenge of high-throughput drug screening. Published OOC systems have been reviewed over the past decade (2007–2018) with focus given mainly to more recent advances and improvements within each organ system. Each OOC system has been reviewed on how closely and realistically it is able to mimic its physiological counterpart, the degree of information provided by the system toward the ultimate goal of drug development and screening, how easily each system would be able to transition to large scale high-throughput drug screening, and what further improvements to each system would help to improve the functionality, realistic nature of the platform, and throughput capacity. Finally, a summary is provided of where the broad field of OOCs appears to be headed in the near future along with suggestions on where future efforts should be focused for optimized performance of OOC systems in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Uhl
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Wentao Shi
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015 e-mail:
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46
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Lee S, Ko J, Park D, Lee SR, Chung M, Lee Y, Jeon NL. Microfluidic-based vascularized microphysiological systems. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2686-2709. [PMID: 30110034 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00285a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems have emerged in the last decade to provide an alternative to in vivo models in basic science and pharmaceutical research. In the field of vascular biology, in particular, there has been a lack of a suitable in vitro model exhibiting a three-dimensional structure and the physiological function of vasculature integrated with organ-on-a-chip models. The rapid development of organ-on-a-chip technology is well positioned to fulfill unmet needs. Recently, functional integration of vasculature with diverse microphysiological systems has been increasing. This recent trend corresponds to emerging research interest in how the vascular system contributes to various physiological and pathological conditions. This innovative platform has undergone significant development, but adoption of this technology by end-users and researchers in biology is still a work in progress. Therefore, it is critical to focus on simplification and standardization to promote the distribution and acceptance of this technology by the end-users. In this review, we will introduce the latest developments in vascularized microphysiological systems and summarize their outlook in basic research and drug screening applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somin Lee
- Program for Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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47
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Zhang Q, Sito L, Mao M, He J, Zhang YS, Zhao X. Current advances in skin-on-a-chip models for drug testing. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 2. [PMID: 33521629 DOI: 10.21037/mps.2018.08.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Skin-on-a-chip models are highly desirable in drug testing compared to conventional 2D cell culture and animal models as they can replicate organ-specific 3D structural organization and physiological functions at a relatively low cost. To engineer a physiologically relevant skin model, human skin structures have been integrated onto microfluidic platforms to construct skin-on-a-chip systems that can mimic the complex in vivo situation. In this mini-review, we first briefly introduce some critical technologies employed to develop in vitro skin-on-a-chip models. We then review the applications of the state-of-the-art skin-on-a-chip models in drug testing, with a focus on using models of full-thickness skin equivalents (FTSEs), skin models with additional components such as vasculature, immune cells and hair follicles as well as multi-organ-on-a-chip models. Finally, we discuss some current challenges and future directions of development of complex, and in vivo-like skin-on-a-chip models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Linda Sito
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Mao Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Jiankang He
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
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48
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Establishing quasi-steady state operations of microphysiological systems (MPS) using tissue-specific metabolic dependencies. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8015. [PMID: 29789564 PMCID: PMC5964119 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25971-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPS), consisting of tissue constructs, biomaterials, and culture media, aim to recapitulate relevant organ functions in vitro. MPS components are housed in fluidic hardware with operational protocols, such as periodic complete media replacement. Such batch-like operations provide relevant nutrients and remove waste products but also reset cell-secreted mediators (e.g. cytokines, hormones) and potentially limit exposure to drugs (and metabolites). While each component plays an essential role for tissue functionality, MPS-specific nutrient needs are not yet well-characterized nor utilized to operate MPSs at more physiologically-relevant conditions. MPS-specific nutrient needs for gut (immortalized cancer cells), liver (human primary hepatocytes) and cardiac (iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes) MPSs were experimentally quantified. In a long-term study of the gut MPS (10 days), this knowledge was used to design operational protocols to maintain glucose and lactate at desired levels. This quasi-steady state operation was experimentally validated by monitoring glucose and lactate as well as MPS functionality. In a theoretical study, nutrient needs of an integrated multi-MPS platform (gut, liver, cardiac MPSs) were computationally simulated to identify long-term quasi-steady state operations. This integrative experimental and computational approach demonstrates the utilization of quantitative multi-scale characterization of MPSs and incorporating MPS-specific information to establish more physiologically-relevant experimental operations.
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49
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Kieninger J, Weltin A, Flamm H, Urban GA. Microsensor systems for cell metabolism - from 2D culture to organ-on-chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:1274-1291. [PMID: 29619452 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00942a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microsensor systems for cell metabolism are essential tools for investigation and standardization in cell culture. Electrochemical and optical read-out schemes dominate, which enable the marker-free, continuous, online recording of transient effects and deliver information beyond microscopy and end-point tests. There has been much progress in microfluidics and microsensors, but the translation of both into standard cell culture procedures is still limited. Within this critical review, we discuss different cell culture formats ranging from standard culture vessels to dedicated microfluidic platforms. Key aspects are the appropriate supply of cells, mass transport of metabolites to the sensors and generation of stimuli. Microfluidics enable the transition from static to dynamic conditions in culture and measurement. We illustrate the parameters oxygen (respiration), pH (acidification), glucose and lactate (energy metabolism) as well as short-lived reactive species (ROS/RNS) from the perspective of microsensor integration in 2D and 3D cell culture. We discuss different sensor principles and types, along with their limitations, microfabrication technologies and materials. The state-of-the-art of microsensor platforms for cell culture is discussed with respect to sensor performance, the number of parameters and timescale of application. That includes the advances from 2D culture to the increasingly important 3D approaches, with specific requirements for organotypic microtissues, spheroids and solid matrix cultures. We conclude on the current progress, potential, benefits and limitations of cell culture monitoring systems from monolayer culture to organ-on-chip systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Kieninger
- Laboratory for Sensors, IMTEK - Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Germany.
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50
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Microfluidics for secretome analysis under enhanced endogenous signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 497:480-484. [PMID: 29425822 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cell secretome, the complex set of proteins that are secreted by the cells, is a fundamental mechanism of cell-cell communication both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, the analysis of proteins secreted into body fluids can bring to the identification of biomarkers for important physiopathological conditions. However, due to the complexity of the protein content of body fluids, a better understanding of the secreted proteins by different cell types is highly desirable and can be performed in vitro for dissection. To this aim, microfluidic culture systems could be particularly relevant because of the accumulation of extrinsic endogenous signals at microliter scale, which better preserves the self-regulation occurring in the small interstitial spaces in vivo. In this work, we perform a quantitative study to compare the secretome in microfluidics and in a standard well plate. Human foreskin fibroblasts are used as a case study. This work also represents an important technological advance in terms of feasibility of high-throughput quantitative protein analyses in microfluidics.
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