1
|
Cerutti L, Brofiga M. Unraveling brain diseases: The promise of brain-on-a-chip models. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110105. [PMID: 38460796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110105] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Brain disorders, encompassing a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric conditions, present a formidable challenge in modern medicine. Despite decades of research, the intricate complexity of the human brain still eludes comprehensive understanding, impeding the development of effective treatments. Recent advancements in microfluidics and tissue engineering have led to the development of innovative platforms known as "Brain-on-a-Chip" (BoC) i.e., advanced in vitro systems that aim to replicate the microenvironment of the brain with the highest possible fidelity. This technology offers a promising test-bed for studying brain disorders at the cellular and network levels, providing insights into disease mechanisms, drug screening, and, in perspective, the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the BoC models developed over the years to model and understand the onset and progression of some of the most severe neurological disorders in terms of incidence and debilitation (stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy). We also report some of the cutting-edge therapeutic approaches whose effects were evaluated by means of these technologies. Finally, we discuss potential challenges, and future perspectives of the BoC models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Cerutti
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Brofiga
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy; ScreenNeuroPharm s.r.l, Sanremo, Italy; Neurofacility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Moll L, Pihl J, Karlsson M, Karila P, Svensson CI. A Microfluidic High-Capacity Screening Platform for Neurological Disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:236-244. [PMID: 38150531 PMCID: PMC10797611 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00409] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Compartmentalized cell cultures (CCCs) provide the possibility to study mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as spreading of misfolded proteins in Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease or functional changes in, e.g., chronic pain, in vitro. However, many CCC devices do not provide the necessary capacity for identifying novel mechanisms, targets, or drugs in a drug discovery context. Here, we present a high-capacity cell culture microtiter microfluidic plate compliant with American National Standard Institute of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (ANSI/SLAS) standards that allows to parallelize up to 96 CCCs/experimental units, where each experimental unit comprises three microchannel-connected compartments. The plate design allows the specific treatment of cells in individual compartments through the application of a fluidic barrier. Moreover, the compatibility of the plate with neuronal cultures was confirmed with rodent primary as well as human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons of the central or peripheral nervous system for up to 14 days in culture. Using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrated that the plate design restricts neuronal soma to individual compartments, while axons, but not dendrites, can grow through the connecting microchannels to neighboring compartments. In addition, we show that neurons are spontaneously active and, as deemed by the appearance of synchronous depolarizations in neighboring compartments, are synaptically coupled. In summary, the design of the microfluidic plate allows for both morphological and functional studies of neurological in vitro cultures with increased capacity to support identification of novel mechanisms, targets, or drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Moll
- Cellectricon
AB, Mölndal 431 53, Sweden
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Camilla I. Svensson
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saglam-Metiner P, Yildirim E, Dincer C, Basak O, Yesil-Celiktas O. Humanized brain organoids-on-chip integrated with sensors for screening neuronal activity and neurotoxicity. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:71. [PMID: 38168828 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-06165-4] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The complex structure and function of the human central nervous system that develops from the neural tube made in vitro modeling quite challenging until the discovery of brain organoids. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells-derived brain organoids offer recapitulation of the features of early human neurodevelopment in vitro, including the generation, proliferation, and differentiation into mature neurons and micro-macroglial cells, as well as the complex interactions among these diverse cell types of the developing brain. Recent advancements in brain organoids, microfluidic systems, real-time sensing technologies, and their cutting-edge integrated use provide excellent models and tools for emulation of fundamental neurodevelopmental processes, the pathology of neurological disorders, personalized transplantation therapy, and high-throughput neurotoxicity testing by bridging the gap between two-dimensional models and the complex three-dimensional environment in vivo. In this review, we summarize how bioengineering approaches are applied to mitigate the limitations of brain organoids for biomedical and clinical research. We further provide an extensive overview and future perspectives of the humanized brain organoids-on-chip platforms with integrated sensors toward brain organoid intelligence and biocomputing studies. Such approaches might pave the way for increasing approvable clinical applications by solving their current limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Saglam-Metiner
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ender Yildirim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- ODTÜ MEMS Center, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Can Dincer
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- FIT Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Onur Basak
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dupuit V, Briançon-Marjollet A, Delacour C. Portrait of intense communications within microfluidic neural networks. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12306. [PMID: 37516789 PMCID: PMC10387102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro model networks could provide cellular models of physiological relevance to reproduce and investigate the basic function of neural circuits on a chip in the laboratory. Several tools and methods have been developed since the past decade to build neural networks on a chip; among them, microfluidic circuits appear to be a highly promising approach. One of the numerous advantages of this approach is that it preserves stable somatic and axonal compartments over time due to physical barriers that prevent the soma from exploring undesired areas and guide neurites along defined pathways. As a result, neuron compartments can be identified and isolated, and their interconnectivity can be modulated to build a topological neural network (NN). Here, we have assessed the extent to which the confinement imposed by the microfluidic environment can impact cell development and shape NN activity. Toward that aim, microelectrode arrays have enabled the monitoring of the short- and mid-term evolution of neuron activation over the culture period at specific locations in organized (microfluidic) and random (control) networks. In particular, we have assessed the spike and burst rate, as well as the correlations between the extracted spike trains over the first stages of maturation. This study enabled us to observe intense neurite communications that would have been weaker and more delayed within random networks; the spiking rate, burst and correlations being reinforced over time in terms of number and amplitude, exceeding the electrophysiological features of standard cultures. Beyond the enhanced detection efficiency that was expected from the microfluidic channels, the confinement of cells seems to reinforce neural communications and cell development throughout the network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Dupuit
- Institut Néel, University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Anne Briançon-Marjollet
- HP2 Laboratory, University Grenoble Alpes, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1300, Grenoble, France
| | - Cécile Delacour
- Institut Néel, University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu S, Liu Y, Yang Y, Zhang K, Liang W, Xu Z, Wu Y, Luo J, Zhuang C, Cai X. Recent Progress and Perspectives on Neural Chip Platforms Integrating PDMS-Based Microfluidic Devices and Microelectrode Arrays. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:709. [PMID: 37420942 DOI: 10.3390/mi14040709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a spurt of progress in the application of the encoding and decoding of neural activities to drug screening, diseases diagnosis, and brain-computer interactions. To overcome the constraints of the complexity of the brain and the ethical considerations of in vivo research, neural chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays have been raised, which can not only customize growth paths for neurons in vitro but also monitor and modulate the specialized neural networks grown on chips. Therefore, this article reviews the developmental history of chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays. First, we review the design and application of advanced microelectrode arrays and microfluidic devices. After, we introduce the fabrication process of neural chip platforms. Finally, we highlight the recent progress on this type of chip platform as a research tool in the field of brain science and neuroscience, focusing on neuropharmacology, neurological diseases, and simplified brain models. This is a detailed and comprehensive review of neural chip platforms. This work aims to fulfill the following three goals: (1) summarize the latest design patterns and fabrication schemes of such platforms, providing a reference for the development of other new platforms; (2) generalize several important applications of chip platforms in the field of neurology, which will attract the attention of scientists in the field; and (3) propose the developmental direction of neural chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shihong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhaojie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yirong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chengyu Zhuang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Rujing Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xinxia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Morris EK, Daignault-Mill S, Stehbens SJ, Genovesi LA, Lagendijk AK. Addressing blood-brain-tumor-barrier heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors with innovative preclinical models. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1101522. [PMID: 36776301 PMCID: PMC9909546 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1101522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors represent the leading cause of disease-related mortality and morbidity in children, with effective treatments urgently required. One factor limiting the effectiveness of systemic therapy is the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), which limits the brain penetration of many anticancer drugs. BBB integrity is often compromised in tumors, referred to as the blood-brain-tumor-barrier (BBTB), and the impact of a compromised BBTB on the therapeutic sensitivity of brain tumors has been clearly shown for a few selected agents. However, the heterogeneity of barrier alteration observed within a single tumor and across distinct pediatric tumor types represents an additional challenge. Herein, we discuss what is known regarding the heterogeneity of tumor-associated vasculature in pediatric brain tumors. We discuss innovative and complementary preclinical model systems that will facilitate real-time functional analyses of BBTB for all pediatric brain tumor types. We believe a broader use of these preclinical models will enable us to develop a greater understanding of the processes underlying tumor-associated vasculature formation and ultimately more efficacious treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elysse K. Morris
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Sheena Daignault-Mill
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Samantha J. Stehbens
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Laura A. Genovesi
- The University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,*Correspondence: Laura A. Genovesi, ; Anne K. Lagendijk,
| | - Anne K. Lagendijk
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia,*Correspondence: Laura A. Genovesi, ; Anne K. Lagendijk,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Giorgi S, Lamberti A, Butrón L, Gross-Amat O, Alarcón-Alarcón D, Rodríguez-Cañas E, Fernández-Carvajal A, Ferrer-Montiel A. Compartmentalized primary cultures of dorsal root ganglion neurons to model peripheral pathophysiological conditions. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069231197102. [PMID: 37578145 PMCID: PMC10521292 DOI: 10.1177/17448069231197102] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurosensory disorders such as pain and pruritus remain a major health problem greatly impacting the quality of life, and often increasing the risk of mortality. Current pre-clinical models to investigate dysfunction of sensory neurons have shown a limited clinical translation, in part, by failing to mimic the compartmentalized nociceptor anatomy that exhibits a central compartment containing the soma and a peripheral one harboring the axon endings with distinct molecular and cellular environmental composition. Thus, there is a need to validate compartmentalized preclinical neurosensory models for investigating the pathophysiology of peripheral sensory disorders and to test drug candidates. Here, we have addressed this issue and developed a microfluidic-based preclinical nociceptor model and validated it for investigating inflammatory and neuropathic peripheral disorders. We show that this model reproduces the peripheral sensitization and resolution produced by an inflammatory soup and by the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel. Furthermore, compartmentalized nociceptor primary cultures were amenable to co-culture with keratinocytes in the axonal compartment. Interaction of axonal endings with keratinocytes modulated neuronal responses, consistent with a crosstalk between both cell types. These findings pave the way towards translational pre-clinical sensory models for skin pathophysiological research and drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Giorgi
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Angela Lamberti
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Laura Butrón
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Olivia Gross-Amat
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - David Alarcón-Alarcón
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Enrique Rodríguez-Cañas
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Asia Fernández-Carvajal
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Antonio Ferrer-Montiel
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Castiglione H, Vigneron PA, Baquerre C, Yates F, Rontard J, Honegger T. Human Brain Organoids-on-Chip: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives for Preclinical Applications. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2301. [PMID: 36365119 PMCID: PMC9699341 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for predictive in vitro models to improve disease modeling and drug target identification and validation, especially for neurological disorders. Cerebral organoids, as alternative methods to in vivo studies, appear now as powerful tools to decipher complex biological processes thanks to their ability to recapitulate many features of the human brain. Combining these innovative models with microfluidic technologies, referred to as brain organoids-on-chips, allows us to model the microenvironment of several neuronal cell types in 3D. Thus, this platform opens new avenues to create a relevant in vitro approach for preclinical applications in neuroscience. The transfer to the pharmaceutical industry in drug discovery stages and the adoption of this approach by the scientific community requires the proposition of innovative microphysiological systems allowing the generation of reproducible cerebral organoids of high quality in terms of structural and functional maturation, and compatibility with automation processes and high-throughput screening. In this review, we will focus on the promising advantages of cerebral organoids for disease modeling and how their combination with microfluidic systems can enhance the reproducibility and quality of these in vitro models. Then, we will finish by explaining why brain organoids-on-chips could be considered promising platforms for pharmacological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Héloïse Castiglione
- NETRI, 69007 Lyon, France
- Sup’Biotech/CEA-IBFJ-SEPIA, Bâtiment 60, 18 Route du Panorama, 94260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pierre-Antoine Vigneron
- Sup’Biotech/CEA-IBFJ-SEPIA, Bâtiment 60, 18 Route du Panorama, 94260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Sup’Biotech, Ecole D’ingénieurs, 66 Rue Guy Môquet, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | | | - Frank Yates
- Sup’Biotech/CEA-IBFJ-SEPIA, Bâtiment 60, 18 Route du Panorama, 94260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Sup’Biotech, Ecole D’ingénieurs, 66 Rue Guy Môquet, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|