1
|
Kim J, Yoon T, Lee S, Kim PJ, Kim Y. Reconstitution of human tissue barrier function for precision and personalized medicine. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3347-3366. [PMID: 38895863 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00104d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Tissue barriers in a body, well known as tissue-to-tissue interfaces represented by endothelium of the blood vessels or epithelium of organs, are essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis by regulating molecular and cellular transports. It is crucial for predicting drug response to understand physiology of tissue barriers through which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted. Since the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which prompts the inception of alternative technologies for animal models, tissue barrier chips, one of the applications of organ-on-a-chip or microphysiological system (MPS), have only recently been utilized in the context of drug development. Recent advancements in stem cell technology have brightened the prospects for the application of tissue barrier chips in personalized medicine. In past decade, designing and engineering these microfluidic devices, and demonstrating the ability to reconstitute tissue functions were main focus of this field. However, the field is now advancing to the next level of challenges: validating their utility in drug evaluation and creating personalized models using patient-derived cells. In this review, we briefly introduce key design parameters to develop functional tissue barrier chip, explore the remarkable recent progress in the field of tissue barrier chips and discuss future perspectives on realizing personalized medicine through the utilization of tissue barrier chips.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaehoon Kim
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
| | - Taehee Yoon
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Sungryeong Lee
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
| | - Paul J Kim
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - YongTae Kim
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qiao H, Gao C, Lu C, Liu H, Zhang Y, Jin A, Dai Q, Yang S, Zhang B, Liu Y. A Novel Method for Fabricating the Undulating Structures at Dermal-Epidermal Junction by Composite Molding Process. J Funct Biomater 2024; 15:102. [PMID: 38667559 PMCID: PMC11051274 DOI: 10.3390/jfb15040102] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), located between the dermal-epidermal layers in human skin tissue, plays a significant role in its function. However, the limitations of biomaterial properties and microstructure fabrication methods mean that most current tissue engineered skin models do not consider the existence of DEJ. In this study, a nanofiber membrane that simulates the fluctuating structure of skin DEJ was prepared by the composite molding process. Electrospinning is a technique for the production of nanofibers, which can customize the physical and biological properties of biomaterials. At present, electrospinning technology is widely used in the simulation of customized natural skin DEJ. In this study, four different concentration ratios of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber membranes were prepared based on electrospinning technology. We selected a 15%PLGA + 5%PCL nanofiber membrane with mechanical properties, dimensional stability, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility after physical properties and biological characterization. Then, the array-based microstructure model was prepared by three-dimensional (3D) printing. Subsequently, the microstructure was created on a 15%PLGA + 5%PCL membrane by the micro-imprinting process. Finally, the cell proliferation and live/dead tests of keratinocytes (HaCaTs) and fibroblasts (HSFs) were measured on the microstructural membrane and flat membrane. The results showed that 15%PLGA + 5%PCL microstructure membrane was more beneficial to promote the adhesion and proliferation of HaCaTs and HSFs than a flat membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Qiao
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Chuang Gao
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Chunxiang Lu
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Huazhen Liu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.L.); (Q.D.)
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Aoxiang Jin
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Qiqi Dai
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.L.); (Q.D.)
| | - Shihmo Yang
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Bing Zhang
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; (H.Q.); (C.G.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (A.J.); (S.Y.); (B.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mancinelli E, Zushi N, Takuma M, Cheng Chau CC, Parpas G, Fujie T, Pensabene V. Porous Polymeric Nanofilms for Recreating the Basement Membrane in an Endothelial Barrier-on-Chip. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:13006-13017. [PMID: 38414331 PMCID: PMC10941076 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16134] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Organs-on-chips (OoCs) support an organotypic human cell culture in vitro. Precise representation of basement membranes (BMs) is critical for mimicking physiological functions of tissue interfaces. Artificial membranes in polyester (PES) and polycarbonate (PC) commonly used in in vitro models and OoCs do not replicate the characteristics of the natural BMs, such as submicrometric thickness, selective permeability, and elasticity. This study introduces porous poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA) nanofilms for replicating BMs in in vitro models and demonstrates their integration into microfluidic chips. Using roll-to-roll gravure coating and polymer phase separation, we fabricated transparent ∼200 nm thick PDLLA films. These nanofilms are 60 times thinner and 27 times more elastic than PES membranes and show uniformly distributed pores of controlled diameter (0.4 to 1.6 μm), which favor cell compartmentalization and exchange of large water-soluble molecules. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on PDLLA nanofilms stretched across microchannels exhibited 97% viability, enhanced adhesion, and a higher proliferation rate compared to their performance on PES membranes and glass substrates. After 5 days of culture, HUVECs formed a functional barrier on suspended PDLLA nanofilms, confirmed by a more than 10-fold increase in transendothelial electrical resistance and blocked 150 kDa dextran diffusion. When integrated between two microfluidic channels and exposed to physiological shear stress, despite their ultrathin thickness, PDLLA nanofilms upheld their integrity and efficiently maintained separation of the channels. The successful formation of an adherent endothelium and the coculture of HUVECs and human astrocytes on either side of the suspended nanofilm validate it as an artificial BM for OoCs. Its submicrometric thickness guarantees intimate contact, a key feature to mimic the blood-brain barrier and to study paracrine signaling between the two cell types. In summary, porous PDLLA nanofilms hold the potential for improving the accuracy and physiological relevance of the OoC as in vitro models and drug discovery tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mancinelli
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Nanami Zushi
- School
of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute
of Technology, B-50, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Megumi Takuma
- School
of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute
of Technology, B-50, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Chalmers Chi Cheng Chau
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- School
of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre for Structural
Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - George Parpas
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Leeds
Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United
Kingdom
| | - Toshinori Fujie
- School
of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute
of Technology, B-50, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- Living Systems
Materialogy (LiSM) Research Group, International Research Frontiers
Initiative (IRFI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, R3-23, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Virginia Pensabene
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Faculty
of Medicine and Health, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St
James’s University Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mustafayev F, Youn J, Hanif A, Kim DS. A Perforated Plate-Based Cell Showering Device for Uniform Cell Distribution over Various Culture Substrates. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:620-627. [PMID: 38048415 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell distribution is one of the primary factors that can affect cell morphology and behaviors, as it determines cell-cell interactions. Despite the importance of cell distribution, the seeding process of in vitro cell culture still highly relies on the traditional method using manual pipetting. Because manual pipetting cannot ensure a uniform cell distribution and has the possibility of compromising experimental reproducibility, an accurate and systemic seeding method that enables uniform cell seeding over versatile culture substrates is required. Here, we developed a perforated plate-based cell seeding device called the CellShower, which enabled uniform cell seeding over a large area of cell culture substrates. The working principles of the CellShower are based on the laminar filling flow and capillary force in microfluidics, and the design of the CellShower was optimized with numerical simulations. The versatility of the CellShower in view of uniform cell seeding was demonstrated by applying it to various types of culture substrates from a conventional culture dish to culture substrates having nanotopography, porous structures, and 3D concave structures. The CellShower and its operating principles are expected to contribute to enhancing the accuracy and reproducibility of biological experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farid Mustafayev
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseung Youn
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37763, Republic of Korea
| | - Adeela Hanif
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37763, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Sung Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37763, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu J, Wei Q, Man K, Liang C, Zhou Y, Liu X, Xin HB, Yang Y. Nanofibrous Membrane Promotes and Sustains Vascular Endothelial Barrier Function. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4988-4997. [PMID: 37862245 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium serves as a physical barrier between the circulating blood and surrounding tissue and acts as a critical regulator of various physiological processes. In vitro models involving vasculature rely on the maintenance of the endothelial barrier function. In this study, we fabricated 2D aligned nanofibrous membranes with distinct pore sizes via electrospinning and investigated the effect of membrane pore size on endothelial barrier function. Our results demonstrated that the use of the nanofibrous membranes promoted the formation of a tight vascular endothelium and sustained barrier function for over one month in comparison with conventional transwell setups. Moreover, the examination of the nucleocytoplasmic localization of yes-associated protein (YAP) in the endothelial cells indicated that nanofibrous membrane promoted YAP expression and its nuclear localization, critical to endothelial barrier function. Furthermore, the comparison of permeability between random and aligned nanofibrous membranes underscored the importance of pore size in preserving barrier function. Our findings offer a valuable strategy for creating more physiologically relevant in vitro vascular models and contribute to the understanding of endothelial barrier formation and maintenance mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P.R. China
| | - Kun Man
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Cindy Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Yuting Zhou
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266073, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Hong-Bo Xin
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| |
Collapse
|