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Boylin K, Aquino GV, Purdon M, Abedi K, Kasendra M, Barrile R. Basic models to advanced systems: harnessing the power of organoids-based microphysiological models of the human brain. Biofabrication 2024; 16:032007. [PMID: 38749420 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad4c08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the complexities of the human brain's function in health and disease is a formidable challenge in neuroscience. While traditional models like animals offer valuable insights, they often fall short in accurately mirroring human biology and drug responses. Moreover, recent legislation has underscored the need for more predictive models that more accurately represent human physiology. To address this requirement, human-derived cell cultures have emerged as a crucial alternative for biomedical research. However, traditional static cell culture models lack the dynamic tissue microenvironment that governs human tissue function. Advancedin vitrosystems, such as organoids and microphysiological systems (MPSs), bridge this gap by offering more accurate representations of human biology. Organoids, which are three-dimensional miniaturized organ-like structures derived from stem cells, exhibit physiological responses akin to native tissues, but lack essential tissue-specific components such as functional vascular structures and immune cells. Recent endeavors have focused on incorporating endothelial cells and immune cells into organoids to enhance vascularization, maturation, and disease modeling. MPS, including organ-on-chip technologies, integrate diverse cell types and vascularization under dynamic culture conditions, revolutionizing brain research by bridging the gap betweenin vitroandin vivomodels. In this review, we delve into the evolution of MPS, with a particular focus on highlighting the significance of vascularization in enhancing the viability, functionality, and disease modeling potential of organoids. By examining the interplay of vasculature and neuronal cells within organoids, we can uncover novel therapeutic targets and gain valuable insights into disease mechanisms, offering the promise of significant advancements in neuroscience and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Boylin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Grace V Aquino
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Michael Purdon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Kimia Abedi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Magdalena Kasendra
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Riccardo Barrile
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
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2
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Boder-Pasche S, Demir M, Heub S, Garzuel M, Ischer R, Migliozzi D, Graf S, Schmid N, Atakan HB, Gudkova D, Alpern D, Dainese R, Deplancke B, Weder G. Multi-well plate lid for single-step pooling of 96 samples for high-throughput barcode-based sequencing. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:18. [PMID: 38416278 PMCID: PMC10902082 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00702-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
High-throughput transcriptomics is of increasing fundamental biological and clinical interest. The generation of molecular data from large collections of samples, such as biobanks and drug libraries, is boosting the development of new biomarkers and treatments. Focusing on gene expression, the transcriptomic market exploits the benefits of next-generation sequencing (NGS), leveraging RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) as standard for measuring genome-wide gene expression in biological samples. The cumbersome sample preparation, including RNA extraction, conversion to cDNA and amplification, prevents high-throughput translation of RNA-seq technologies. Bulk RNA barcoding and sequencing (BRB-seq) addresses this limitation by enabling sample preparation in multi-well plate format. Sample multiplexing combined with early pooling into a single tube reduces reagents consumption and manual steps. Enabling simultaneous pooling of all samples from the multi-well plate into one tube, our technology relies on smart labware: a pooling lid comprising fluidic features and small pins to transport the liquid, adapted to standard 96-well plates. Operated with standard fluidic tubes and pump, the system enables over 90% recovery of liquid in a single step in less than a minute. Large scale manufacturing of the lid is demonstrated with the transition from a milled polycarbonate/steel prototype into an injection molded polystyrene lid. The pooling lid demonstrated its value in supporting high-throughput barcode-based sequencing by pooling 96 different DNA barcodes directly from a standard 96-well plate, followed by processing within the single sample pool. This new pooling technology shows great potential to address medium throughput needs in the BRB-seq workflow, thereby addressing the challenge of large-scale and cost-efficient sample preparation for RNA-seq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Boder-Pasche
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Mustafa Demir
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bio-Engineering & Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Alithea Genomics, Biopôle, CH-1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Heub
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Manon Garzuel
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Réal Ischer
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Migliozzi
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Siegfried Graf
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Noa Schmid
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - H Baris Atakan
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Daria Gudkova
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bio-Engineering & Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Alithea Genomics, Biopôle, CH-1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Alpern
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bio-Engineering & Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Alithea Genomics, Biopôle, CH-1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Riccardo Dainese
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bio-Engineering & Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Alithea Genomics, Biopôle, CH-1066, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bart Deplancke
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bio-Engineering & Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilles Weder
- CSEM SA Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique, Jaquet-Droz 1, CH-2002, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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3
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Sela M, Poley M, Mora-Raimundo P, Kagan S, Avital A, Kaduri M, Chen G, Adir O, Rozencweig A, Weiss Y, Sade O, Leichtmann-Bardoogo Y, Simchi L, Aga-Mizrachi S, Bell B, Yeretz-Peretz Y, Zaid Or A, Choudhary A, Rosh I, Cordeiro D, Cohen-Adiv S, Berdichevsky Y, Odeh A, Shklover J, Shainsky-Roitman J, Schroeder JE, Hershkovitz D, Hasson P, Ashkenazi A, Stern S, Laviv T, Ben-Zvi A, Avital A, Ashery U, Maoz BM, Schroeder A. Brain-Targeted Liposomes Loaded with Monoclonal Antibodies Reduce Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation and Improve Behavioral Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2304654. [PMID: 37753928 PMCID: PMC7615408 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) hold promise in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), although poor delivery to the brain hinders their therapeutic application. In the current study, it is demonstrated that brain-targeted liposomes (BTL) enhance the delivery of mAbs across the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and into neurons, thereby allowing the intracellular and extracellular treatment of the PD brain. BTL are decorated with transferrin to improve brain targeting through overexpressed transferrin-receptors on the BBB during PD. BTL are loaded with SynO4, a mAb that inhibits alpha-synuclein (AS) aggregation, a pathological hallmark of PD. It is shown that 100-nm BTL cross human BBB models intact and are taken up by primary neurons. Within neurons, SynO4 is released from the nanoparticles and bound to its target, thereby reducing AS aggregation, and enhancing neuronal viability. In vivo, intravenous BTL administration results in a sevenfold increase in mAbs in brain cells, decreasing AS aggregation and neuroinflammation. Treatment with BTL also improve behavioral motor function and learning ability in mice, with a favorable safety profile. Accordingly, targeted nanotechnologies offer a valuable platform for drug delivery to treat brain neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mor Sela
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Maria Poley
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Patricia Mora-Raimundo
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Shaked Kagan
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Aviram Avital
- The Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Maya Kaduri
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Gal Chen
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- The Interdisciplinary Program for Biotechnology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Omer Adir
- The Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Adi Rozencweig
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Yfat Weiss
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ofir Sade
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | | | - Lilach Simchi
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Shlomit Aga-Mizrachi
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Batia Bell
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Yoel Yeretz-Peretz
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Aviv Zaid Or
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ashwani Choudhary
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Idan Rosh
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Diogo Cordeiro
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Stav Cohen-Adiv
- The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yevgeny Berdichevsky
- The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Anas Odeh
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Jeny Shklover
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Janna Shainsky-Roitman
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Joshua E. Schroeder
- Spine Unit, Orthopedic Complex, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Kiryat Hadassah, POB 12000, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Dov Hershkovitz
- Department of Pathology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Peleg Hasson
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Avraham Ashkenazi
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Tal Laviv
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ayal Ben-Zvi
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190500, Israel
| | - Avi Avital
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Uri Ashery
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ben M. Maoz
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Avi Schroeder
- The Louis Family Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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4
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Campo H, Zha D, Pattarawat P, Colina J, Zhang D, Murphy A, Yoon J, Russo A, Rogers HB, Lee HC, Zhang J, Trotter K, Wagner S, Ingram A, Pavone ME, Dunne SF, Boots CE, Urbanek M, Xiao S, Burdette JE, Woodruff TK, Kim JJ. A new tissue-agnostic microfluidic device to model physiology and disease: the lattice platform. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4821-4833. [PMID: 37846545 PMCID: PMC11181516 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00378g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
To accurately phenocopy human biology in vitro, researchers have been reducing their dependence on standard, static two-dimensional (2D) cultures and instead are moving towards three-dimensional (3D) and/or multicellular culture techniques. While these culture innovations are becoming more commonplace, there is a growing body of research that illustrates the benefits and even necessity of recapitulating the dynamic flow of nutrients, gas, waste exchange and tissue interactions that occur in vivo. However, cost and engineering complexity are two main factors that hinder the adoption of these technologies and incorporation into standard laboratory workflows. We developed LATTICE, a plug-and-play microfluidic platform able to house up to eight large tissue or organ models that can be cultured individually or in an interconnected fashion. The functionality of the platform to model both healthy and diseased tissue states was demonstrated using 3D cultures of reproductive tissues including murine ovarian tissues and human fallopian tube explants (hFTE). When exogenously exposed to pathological doses of gonadotropins and androgens to mimic the endocrinology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), subsequent ovarian follicle development, hormone production and ovulation copied key features of this endocrinopathy. Further, hFTE cilia beating decreased significantly only when experiencing continuous media exchanges. We were then able to endogenously recreate this phenotype on the platform by dynamically co-culturing the PCOS ovary and hFTE. LATTICE was designed to be customizable with flexibility in 3D culture formats and can serve as a powerful automated tool to enable the study of tissue and cellular dynamics in health and disease in all fields of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Campo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Didi Zha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Pawat Pattarawat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jose Colina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Delong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Alina Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Julia Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Angela Russo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Hunter B Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Hoi Chang Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Jiyang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Katy Trotter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Sarah Wagner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Asia Ingram
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Mary Ellen Pavone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Sara Fernandez Dunne
- High-throughput Analysis Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60628, USA
| | - Christina E Boots
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Margrit Urbanek
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Joanna E Burdette
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - J Julie Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Sade O, Boneberg R, Weiss Y, Beldjilali-Labro M, Leichtmann-Bardoogo Y, Talpir I, Gottfried I, Ashery U, Rauti R, Maoz BM. Super-Resolution-Chip: an in-vitro platform that enables super-resolution microscopy of co-cultures and 3D systems. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:5223-5237. [PMID: 37854575 PMCID: PMC10581794 DOI: 10.1364/boe.498038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The development of organs-on-a-chip platforms has revolutionized in-vitro cellular culture by allowing cells to be grown in an environment that better mimics human physiology. However, there is still a challenge in integrating those platforms with advanced imaging technology. This is extremely important when we want to study molecular changes and subcellular processes on the level of a single molecule using super-resolution microscopy (SRM), which has a resolution beyond the diffraction limit of light. Currently, existing platforms that include SRM have certain limitations, either as they only support 2D monocultures, without flow or as they demand a lot of production and handling. In this study, we developed a Super-Res-Chip platform, consisting of a 3D-printed chip and a porous membrane, that could be used to co-culture cells in close proximity either in 2D or in 3D while allowing SRM on both sides of the membrane. To demonstrate the functionality of the device, we co-cultured in endothelial and epithelial cells and used direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) to investigate how glioblastoma cells affect the expression of the gap-junction protein Connexin43 in endothelial cells grown in 2D and in 3D. Cluster analysis of Connexin43 distribution revealed no difference in the number of clusters, their size, or radii, but did identify differences in their density. Furthermore, the spatial resolution was high also when the cells were imaged through the membrane (20-30 nm for x-y) and 10-20 nm when imaged directly both for 2D and 3D conditions. Overall, this chip allows to characterize of complex cellular processes on a molecular scale in an easy manner and improved the capacity for imaging in a single molecule resolution complex cellular organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Sade
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronja Boneberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Yifat Weiss
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | | | | | - Itay Talpir
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Irit Gottfried
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Ashery
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, 61029, Italy
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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6
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Krakos A, Cieślak A, Hartel E, Łabowska MB, Kulbacka J, Detyna J. 3D bio-printed hydrogel inks promoting lung cancer cell growth in a lab-on-chip culturing platform. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 190:349. [PMID: 37572169 PMCID: PMC10423169 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-05931-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The results of a lab-on-chip (LOC) platform fabrication equipped with a hydrogel matrix is reported. A 3D printing technique was used to provide a hybrid, "sandwiched" type structure, including two microfluidic substrates of different origins. Special attention was paid to achieving uniformly bio-printed microfluidic hydrogel layers of a unique composition. Six different hydrogel inks were proposed containing sodium alginate, agar, chitosan, gelatin, methylcellulose, deionized water, or 0.9% NaCl, varying in proportions. All of them exhibited appropriate mechanical properties showing, e.g., the value of elasticity modulus as similar to that of biological tissues, such as skin. Utilizing our biocompatible, entirely 3D bio-printed structure, for the first time, a multi-drug-resistant lung cancer cell line (H69AR) was cultured on-chip. Biological validation of the device was performed qualitatively and quantitatively utilizing LIVE/DEAD assays and Presto blue staining. Although all bio-inks exhibited acceptable cell viability, the best results were obtained for the hydrogel composition including 3% sodium alginate + 7% gelatin + 90% NaCl (0.9%), reaching approximately 127.2% after 24 h and 105.4% after 48 h compared to the control group (100%). Further research in this area will focus on the microfluidic culture of the chosen cancer cell line (H69AR) and the development of novel drug delivery strategies towards appropriate in vivo models for chemotherapy and polychemotherapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Krakos
- Department of Microsystems, Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Janiszewskiego 11/17, 50-372, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Adrianna Cieślak
- Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-371, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Eliza Hartel
- Department of Microsystems, Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Janiszewskiego 11/17, 50-372, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Beata Łabowska
- Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-371, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556, Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Immunology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jerzy Detyna
- Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-371, Wroclaw, Poland
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Rauti R, Navok S, Biran D, Tadmor K, Leichtmann-Bardoogo Y, Ron EZ, Maoz BM. Insight on Bacterial Newborn Meningitis Using a Neurovascular-Unit-on-a-Chip. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0123323. [PMID: 37222614 PMCID: PMC10269748 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01233-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the pathogenesis of bacterial infections is critical for combatting them. For some infections, animal models are inadequate and functional genomic studies are not possible. One example is bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening infection with high mortality and morbidity. Here, we used the newly developed, physiologically relevant, organ-on-a-chip platform integrating the endothelium with neurons, closely mimicking in vivo conditions. Using high-magnification microscopy, permeability measurements, electrophysiological recordings, and immunofluorescence staining, we studied the dynamic by which the pathogens cross the blood-brain barrier and damage the neurons. Our work opens up possibilities for performing large-scale screens with bacterial mutant libraries for identifying the virulence genes involved in meningitis and determining the role of these genes, including various capsule types, in the infection process. These data are essential for understanding and therapy of bacterial meningitis. Moreover, our system offers possibilities for the study of additional infections-bacterial, fungal, and viral. IMPORTANCE The interactions of newborn meningitis (NBM) with the neurovascular unit are very complex and are hard to study. This work presents a new platform to study NBM in a system that enables monitoring of multicellular interactions and identifies processes that were not observed before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Sharon Navok
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dvora Biran
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Keshet Tadmor
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Eliora Z. Ron
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M. Maoz
- Department of Biomedical 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
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8
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Dufva M. A quantitative meta-analysis comparing cell models in perfused organ on a chip with static cell cultures. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8233. [PMID: 37217582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As many consider organ on a chip for better in vitro models, it is timely to extract quantitative data from the literature to compare responses of cells under flow in chips to corresponding static incubations. Of 2828 screened articles, 464 articles described flow for cell culture and 146 contained correct controls and quantified data. Analysis of 1718 ratios between biomarkers measured in cells under flow and static cultures showed that the in all cell types, many biomarkers were unregulated by flow and only some specific biomarkers responded strongly to flow. Biomarkers in cells from the blood vessels walls, the intestine, tumours, pancreatic island, and the liver reacted most strongly to flow. Only 26 biomarkers were analysed in at least two different articles for a given cell type. Of these, the CYP3A4 activity in CaCo2 cells and PXR mRNA levels in hepatocytes were induced more than two-fold by flow. Furthermore, the reproducibility between articles was low as 52 of 95 articles did not show the same response to flow for a given biomarker. Flow showed overall very little improvements in 2D cultures but a slight improvement in 3D cultures suggesting that high density cell culture may benefit from flow. In conclusion, the gains of perfusion are relatively modest, larger gains are linked to specific biomarkers in certain cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dufva
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
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9
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Akcay G, Luttge R. Microenvironments Matter: Advances in Brain-on-Chip. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:551. [PMID: 37232912 PMCID: PMC10216565 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To highlight the particular needs with respect to modeling the unique and complex organization of the human brain structure, we reviewed the state-of-the-art in devising brain models with engineered instructive microenvironments. To acquire a better perspective on the brain's working mechanisms, we first summarize the importance of regional stiffness gradients in brain tissue, varying per layer and the cellular diversities of the layers. Through this, one can acquire an understanding of the essential parameters in emulating the brain in vitro. In addition to the brain's organizational architecture, we addressed also how the mechanical properties have an impact on neuronal cell responses. In this respect, advanced in vitro platforms emerged and profoundly changed the methods of brain modeling efforts from the past, mainly focusing on animal or cell line research. The main challenges in imitating features of the brain in a dish are with regard to composition and functionality. In neurobiological research, there are now methods that aim to cope with such challenges by the self-assembly of human-derived pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), i.e., brainoids. Alternatively, these brainoids can be used stand-alone or in conjunction with Brain-on-Chip (BoC) platform technology, 3D-printed gels, and other types of engineered guidance features. Currently, advanced in vitro methods have made a giant leap forward regarding cost-effectiveness, ease-of-use, and availability. We bring these recent developments together into one review. We believe our conclusions will give a novel perspective towards advancing instructive microenvironments for BoCs and the understanding of the brain's cellular functions either in modeling healthy or diseased states of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulden Akcay
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Regina Luttge
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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10
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Shevchuk O, Palii S, Pak A, Chantada N, Seoane N, Korda M, Campos-Toimil M, Álvarez E. Vessel-on-a-Chip: A Powerful Tool for Investigating Endothelial COVID-19 Fingerprints. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091297. [PMID: 37174696 PMCID: PMC10177552 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes various vascular and blood-related reactions, including exacerbated responses. The role of endothelial cells in this acute response is remarkable and may remain important beyond the acute phase. As we move into a post-COVID-19 era (where most people have been or will be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus), it is crucial to define the vascular consequences of COVID-19, including the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. Research is needed to determine whether chronic endothelial dysfunction following COVID-19 could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic events. Endothelial dysfunction could also serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for post-COVID-19. This review covers these topics and examines the potential of emerging vessel-on-a-chip technology to address these needs. Vessel-on-a-chip would allow for the study of COVID-19 pathophysiology in endothelial cells, including the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with endothelial function, leukocyte recruitment, and platelet activation. "Personalization" could be implemented in the models through induced pluripotent stem cells, patient-specific characteristics, or genetic modified cells. Adaptation for massive testing under standardized protocols is now possible, so the chips could be incorporated for the personalized follow-up of the disease or its sequalae (long COVID) and for the research of new drugs against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Shevchuk
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Svitlana Palii
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Anastasiia Pak
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Nuria Chantada
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nuria Seoane
- Physiology and Pharmacology of Chronic Diseases (FIFAEC) Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mykhaylo Korda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Manuel Campos-Toimil
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Physiology and Pharmacology of Chronic Diseases (FIFAEC) Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ezequiel Álvarez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Su R, Wang F, McAlpine MC. 3D printed microfluidics: advances in strategies, integration, and applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:1279-1299. [PMID: 36779387 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01177h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The ability to construct multiplexed micro-systems for fluid regulation could substantially impact multiple fields, including chemistry, biology, biomedicine, tissue engineering, and soft robotics, among others. 3D printing is gaining traction as a compelling approach to fabricating microfluidic devices by providing unique capabilities, such as 1) rapid design iteration and prototyping, 2) the potential for automated manufacturing and alignment, 3) the incorporation of numerous classes of materials within a single platform, and 4) the integration of 3D microstructures with prefabricated devices, sensing arrays, and nonplanar substrates. However, to widely deploy 3D printed microfluidics at research and commercial scales, critical issues related to printing factors, device integration strategies, and incorporation of multiple functionalities require further development and optimization. In this review, we summarize important figures of merit of 3D printed microfluidics and inspect recent progress in the field, including ink properties, structural resolutions, and hierarchical levels of integration with functional platforms. Particularly, we highlight advances in microfluidic devices printed with thermosetting elastomers, printing methodologies with enhanced degrees of automation and resolution, and the direct printing of microfluidics on various 3D surfaces. The substantial progress in the performance and multifunctionality of 3D printed microfluidics suggests a rapidly approaching era in which these versatile devices could be untethered from microfabrication facilities and created on demand by users in arbitrary settings with minimal prior training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruitao Su
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Fujun Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Michael C McAlpine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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12
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Lai X, Yang M, Wu H, Li D. Modular Microfluidics: Current Status and Future Prospects. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1363. [PMID: 36014285 PMCID: PMC9414757 DOI: 10.3390/mi13081363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review mainly studies the development status, limitations, and future directions of modular microfluidic systems. Microfluidic technology is an important tool platform for scientific research and plays an important role in various fields. With the continuous development of microfluidic applications, conventional monolithic microfluidic chips show more and more limitations. A modular microfluidic system is a system composed of interconnected, independent modular microfluidic chips, which are easy to use, highly customizable, and on-site deployable. In this paper, the current forms of modular microfluidic systems are classified and studied. The popular fabrication techniques for modular blocks, the major application scenarios of modular microfluidics, and the limitations of modular techniques are also discussed. Lastly, this review provides prospects for the future direction of modular microfluidic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Lai
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Mingpeng Yang
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Dachao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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13
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A Novel Fluidic Platform for Semi-Automated Cell Culture into Multiwell-like Bioreactors. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13070994. [PMID: 35888811 PMCID: PMC9316907 DOI: 10.3390/mi13070994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we developed and characterized a novel fluidic platform that enables long-term in vitro cell culture in a semi-automated fashion. The system is constituted by a control unit provided with a piezoelectric pump, miniaturized valves, and a microfluidic network for management and fine control of reagents’ flow, connected to a disposable polymeric culture unit resembling the traditional multiwell-like design. As a proof of principle, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSC) were seeded and cultured into the cell culture unit. The proliferation rate of HUVEC and the osteogenic differentiation of hMSC were assessed and compared to standard culture in Petri dishes. The results obtained demonstrated that our approach is suitable to perform semi-automated cell culture protocols, minimizing the contribution of human operators and allowing the standardization and reproducibility of the procedures. We believe that the proposed system constitutes a promising solution for the realization of user-friendly automated control systems that will favor the standardization of cell culture processes for cell factories, drug testing, and biomedical research.
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14
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Trapecar M. Multiorgan microphysiological systems as tools to interrogate interorgan crosstalk and complex diseases. FEBS Lett 2021; 596:681-695. [PMID: 34923635 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic and inflammatory disorders such as autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases are increasing at alarming rates. Many of these are not tissue-specific occurrences but complex, systemic pathologies of unknown origin for which no cure exists. Such complexity obscures causal relationships among factors regulating disease progression. Emerging technologies mimicking human physiology, such as microphysiological systems (MPSs), offer new possibilities to provide clarity in systemic metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Controlled interaction of multiple MPSs and the scalability of biological complexity in MPSs, supported by continuous multiomic monitoring, might hold the key to identifying novel relationships between interorgan crosstalk, metabolism, and immunity. In this perspective, I aim to discuss the current state of modeling multiorgan physiology and evaluate current opportunities and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Trapecar
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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15
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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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