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Eltanameli B, Piñeiro-Llanes J, Cristofoletti R. Recent advances in cell-based in vitro models for predicting drug permeability across brain, intestinal, and pulmonary barriers. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:439-458. [PMID: 38850058 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2366390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in the development of cell-based in vitro models aimed at predicting drug permeability, particularly focusing on replicating the barrier properties of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), intestinal epithelium, and lung epithelium. AREA COVERED This review provides an overview of 2D in vitro platforms, including monocultures and co-culture systems, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Additionally, it discusses tools and techniques utilized to overcome these limitations, paving the way for more accurate predictions of drug permeability. Furthermore, this review delves into emerging technologies, particularly microphysiological systems (MPS), encompassing static platforms such as organoids and dynamic platforms like microfluidic devices. Literature searches were performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. We focus on key terms such as in vitro permeability models, MPS, organoids, intestine, BBB, and lungs. EXPERT OPINION The potential of these MPS to mimic physiological conditions more closely offers promising avenues for drug permeability assessment. However, transitioning these advanced models from bench to industry requires rigorous validation against regulatory standards. Thus, there is a pressing need to validate MPS to industry and regulatory agency standards to exploit their potential in drug permeability prediction fully. This review underscores the importance of such validation processes to facilitate the translation of these innovative technologies into routine pharmaceutical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassma Eltanameli
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Janny Piñeiro-Llanes
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Rodrigo Cristofoletti
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Olaizola-Rodrigo C, Palma-Florez S, Ranđelović T, Bayona C, Ashrafi M, Samitier J, Lagunas A, Mir M, Doblaré M, Ochoa I, Monge R, Oliván S. Tuneable hydrogel patterns in pillarless microfluidic devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2094-2106. [PMID: 38444329 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01082a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Organ-on-chip (OOC) technology has recently emerged as a powerful tool to mimic physiological or pathophysiological conditions through cell culture in microfluidic devices. One of its main goals is bypassing animal testing and encouraging more personalized medicine. The recent incorporation of hydrogels as 3D scaffolds into microfluidic devices has changed biomedical research since they provide a biomimetic extracellular matrix to recreate tissue architectures. However, this technology presents some drawbacks such as the necessity for physical structures as pillars to confine these hydrogels, as well as the difficulty in reaching different shapes and patterns to create convoluted gradients or more realistic biological structures. In addition, pillars can also interfere with the fluid flow, altering the local shear forces and, therefore, modifying the mechanical environment in the OOC model. In this work, we present a methodology based on a plasma surface treatment that allows building cell culture chambers with abutment-free patterns capable of producing precise shear stress distributions. Therefore, pillarless devices with arbitrary geometries are needed to obtain more versatile, reliable, and biomimetic experimental models. Through computational simulation studies, these shear stress changes are demonstrated in different designed and fabricated geometries. To prove the versatility of this new technique, a blood-brain barrier model has been recreated, achieving an uninterrupted endothelial barrier that emulates part of the neurovascular network of the brain. Finally, we developed a new technology that could avoid the limitations mentioned above, allowing the development of biomimetic OOC models with complex and adaptable geometries, with cell-to-cell contact if required, and where fluid flow and shear stress conditions could be controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Olaizola-Rodrigo
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- BEOnChip S.L., Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Sujey Palma-Florez
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teodora Ranđelović
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, Spain
| | - Clara Bayona
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mehran Ashrafi
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Josep Samitier
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, Spain
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Lagunas
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, Spain
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Spain
| | - Mònica Mir
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, Spain
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Doblaré
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, Spain
| | | | - Sara Oliván
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME), Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
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Sharma A, Fernandes DC, Reis RL, Gołubczyk D, Neumann S, Lukomska B, Janowski M, Kortylewski M, Walczak P, Oliveira JM, Maciaczyk J. Cutting-edge advances in modeling the blood-brain barrier and tools for its reversible permeabilization for enhanced drug delivery into the brain. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:137. [PMID: 37501215 PMCID: PMC10373415 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01079-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a sophisticated structure whose full functionality is required for maintaining the executive functions of the central nervous system (CNS). Tight control of transport across the barrier means that most drugs, particularly large size, which includes powerful biologicals, cannot reach their targets in the brain. Notwithstanding the remarkable advances in characterizing the cellular nature of the BBB and consequences of BBB dysfunction in pathology (brain metastasis, neurological diseases), it remains challenging to deliver drugs to the CNS. Herein, we outline the basic architecture and key molecular constituents of the BBB. In addition, we review the current status of approaches that are being explored to temporarily open the BBB in order to allow accumulation of therapeutics in the CNS. Undoubtedly, the major concern in field is whether it is possible to open the BBB in a meaningful way without causing negative consequences. In this context, we have also listed few other important key considerations that can improve our understanding about the dynamics of the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sharma
- Department of Stereotacitc and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Diogo C Fernandes
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Dominika Gołubczyk
- Ti-Com, Polish Limited Liability Company, 10-683, Olsztyn, Poland
- Center for Translational Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-797, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Silke Neumann
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Lukomska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Janowski
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marcin Kortylewski
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Piotr Walczak
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Miguel Oliveira
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Jarek Maciaczyk
- Department of Stereotacitc and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
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Palma-Florez S, López-Canosa A, Moralez-Zavala F, Castaño O, Kogan MJ, Samitier J, Lagunas A, Mir M. BBB-on-a-chip with integrated micro-TEER for permeability evaluation of multi-functionalized gold nanorods against Alzheimer's disease. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:115. [PMID: 36978078 PMCID: PMC10053726 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of predictive models that mimic the blood-brain barrier (BBB) hinders the development of effective drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. Animal models behave differently from humans, are expensive and have ethical constraints. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms offer several advantages to resembling physiological and pathological conditions in a versatile, reproducible, and animal-free manner. In addition, OoC give us the possibility to incorporate sensors to determine cell culture features such as trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Here, we developed a BBB-on-a-chip (BBB-oC) platform with a TEER measurement system in close distance to the barrier used for the first time for the evaluation of the permeability performance of targeted gold nanorods for theranostics of Alzheimer's disease. GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 is a therapeutic nanosystem previously developed by us consisting of gold nanorods (GNR) functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG), angiopep-2 peptide (Ang2) to overcome the BBB and the D1 peptide as beta amyloid fibrillation inhibitor, finally obtaining GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 which showed to be useful for disaggregation of the amyloid in in vitro and in vivo models. In this work, we evaluated its cytotoxicity, permeability, and some indications of its impact on the brain endothelium by employing an animal-free device based on neurovascular human cells. RESULTS In this work, we fabricated a BBB-oC with human astrocytes, pericytes and endothelial cells and a TEER measuring system (TEER-BBB-oC) integrated at a micrometric distance of the endothelial barrier. The characterization displayed a neurovascular network and the expression of tight junctions in the endothelium. We produced GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 and determined its non-cytotoxic range (0.05-0.4 nM) for plated cells included in the BBB-oC and confirmed its harmless effect at the highest concentration (0.4 nM) in the microfluidic device. The permeability assays revealed that GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 cross the BBB and this entry is facilitated by Ang2 peptide. Parallel to the permeability analysis of GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1, an interesting behavior of the TJs expression was observed after its administration probably related to the ligands on the nanoparticle surface. CONCLUSIONS BBB-oC with a novel TEER integrated setup which allow a correct read-out and cell imaging monitoring was proven as a functional and throughput platform to evaluate the brain permeability performance of nanotherapeutics in a physiological environment with human cells, putting forward a viable alternative to animal experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujey Palma-Florez
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrián López-Canosa
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Moralez-Zavala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santos Dumont 964, 8380494, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Santiago, Chile
| | - Oscar Castaño
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santos Dumont 964, 8380494, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Santiago, Chile
| | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Lagunas
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mònica Mir
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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Tyler SEB, Tyler LDK. Therapeutic roles of plants for 15 hypothesised causal bases of Alzheimer's disease. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2022; 12:34. [PMID: 35996065 PMCID: PMC9395556 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-022-00354-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressive and ultimately fatal, with current drugs failing to reverse and cure it. This study aimed to find plant species which may provide therapeutic bioactivities targeted to causal agents proposed to be driving AD. A novel toolkit methodology was employed, whereby clinical symptoms were translated into categories recognized in ethnomedicine. These categories were applied to find plant species with therapeutic effects, mined from ethnomedical surveys. Survey locations were mapped to assess how this data is at risk. Bioactivities were found of therapeutic relevance to 15 hypothesised causal bases for AD. 107 species with an ethnological report of memory improvement demonstrated therapeutic activity for all these 15 causal bases. The majority of the surveys were found to reside within biodiversity hotspots (centres of high biodiversity under threat), with loss of traditional knowledge the most common threat. Our findings suggest that the documented plants provide a large resource of AD therapeutic potential. In demonstrating bioactivities targeted to these causal bases, such plants may have the capacity to reduce or reverse AD, with promise as drug leads to target multiple AD hallmarks. However, there is a need to preserve ethnomedical knowledge, and the habitats on which this knowledge depends.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke D K Tyler
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, UK
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Sorrentino S, Polini A, Arima V, Romano A, Quattrini A, Gigli G, Mozetic P, Moroni L. Neurovascular signals in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 74:75-83. [PMID: 34800850 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The neurovascular system (NVS) is a complex anatomic-functional unit that synergically works to maintain organs/tissues homeostasis of the entire body. NVS alterations have recently emerged as a common distinct feature in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite their undeniable involvement, neurovascular signalling pathways remain still far unknown in ALS. This review underlines the importance of endothelial, mural, and fibroblast cells as novel targets for ALS investigation and identifies in the interplay between neuronal and vascular systems the way to disclose novel molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Sorrentino
- CNR Nanotec - Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Polini
- CNR Nanotec - Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Valentina Arima
- CNR Nanotec - Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romano
- San Raffaele Hospital, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Rafaele Scientifc Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- San Raffaele Hospital, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Rafaele Scientifc Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR Nanotec - Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy; Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Pamela Mozetic
- CNR Nanotec - Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy; San Raffaele Hospital, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Rafaele Scientifc Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- CNR Nanotec - Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy; Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Walczak PA, Perez-Esteban P, Bassett DC, Hill EJ. Modelling the central nervous system: tissue engineering of the cellular microenvironment. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:507-517. [PMID: 34524411 PMCID: PMC8589431 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, improved models of the central nervous system (CNS) will improve our understanding of neurophysiology and pathogenesis, whilst enabling exploration of novel therapeutics. Studies of brain physiology have largely been carried out using in vivo models, ex vivo brain slices or primary cell culture from rodents. Whilst these models have provided great insight into complex interactions between brain cell types, key differences remain between human and rodent brains, such as degree of cortical complexity. Unfortunately, comparative models of human brain tissue are lacking. The development of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) has accelerated advancement within the field of in vitro tissue modelling. However, despite generating accurate cellular representations of cortical development and disease, two-dimensional (2D) iPSC-derived cultures lack an entire dimension of environmental information on structure, migration, polarity, neuronal circuitry and spatiotemporal organisation of cells. As such, researchers look to tissue engineering in order to develop advanced biomaterials and culture systems capable of providing necessary cues for guiding cell fates, to construct in vitro model systems with increased biological relevance. This review highlights experimental methods for engineering of in vitro culture systems to recapitulate the complexity of the CNS with consideration given to previously unexploited biophysical cues within the cellular microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige A. Walczak
- College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
| | - Patricia Perez-Esteban
- College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
| | - David C. Bassett
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - Eric James Hill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
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Maoz BM. Brain-on-a-Chip: Characterizing the next generation of advanced in vitro platforms for modeling the central nervous system. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:030902. [PMID: 34368601 PMCID: PMC8325567 DOI: 10.1063/5.0055812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain creates significant, almost insurmountable challenges for neurological drug development. Advanced in vitro platforms are increasingly enabling researchers to overcome these challenges, by mimicking key features of the brain's composition and functionality. Many of these platforms are called "Brains-on-a-Chip"-a term that was originally used to refer to microfluidics-based systems containing miniature engineered tissues, but that has since expanded to describe a vast range of in vitro central nervous system (CNS) modeling approaches. This Perspective seeks to refine the definition of a Brain-on-a-Chip for the next generation of in vitro platforms, identifying criteria that determine which systems should qualify. These criteria reflect the extent to which a given platform overcomes the challenges unique to in vitro CNS modeling (e.g., recapitulation of the brain's microenvironment; inclusion of critical subunits, such as the blood-brain barrier) and thereby provides meaningful added value over conventional cell culture systems. The paper further outlines practical considerations for the development and implementation of Brain-on-a-Chip platforms and concludes with a vision for where these technologies may be heading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben M. Maoz
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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