1
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Özkan A, Stolley DL, Cressman ENK, McMillin M, Yankeelov TE, Rylander MN. Vascularized Hepatocellular Carcinoma on a Chip to Control Chemoresistance through Cirrhosis, Inflammation and Metabolic Activity. SMALL STRUCTURES 2023; 4:2200403. [PMID: 38073766 PMCID: PMC10707486 DOI: 10.1002/sstr.202200403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of inflammation and cirrhosis on the regulation of drug metabolism during the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is critical for developing patient-specific treatment strategies. In this work, we created novel three-dimensional vascularized HCC-on-a-chips (HCCoC), composed of HCC, endothelial, stellate, and Kupffer cells tuned to mimic normal or cirrhotic liver stiffness. HCC inflammation was controlled by tuning Kupffer macrophage numbers, and the impact of cytochrome P450-3A4 (CYP3A4) was investigated by culturing HepG2 HCC cells transfected with CYP3A4 to upregulate expression from baseline. This model allowed for the simulation of chemotherapeutic delivery methods such as intravenous injection and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). We showed that upregulation of metabolic activity, incorporation of cirrhosis and inflammation, increase vascular permeability due to upregulated inflammatory cytokines leading to significant variability in chemotherapeutic treatment efficacy. Specifically, we show that further modulation of CYP3A4 activity of HCC cells by TACE delivery of doxorubicin provides an additional improvement to treatment response and reduces chemotherapy-associated endothelial porosity increase. The HCCoCs were shown to have utility in uncovering the impact of the tumor microenvironment (TME) during cancer progression on vascular properties, tumor response to therapeutics, and drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alican Özkan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Current address: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Danielle L Stolley
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030. United States
| | - Erik N K Cressman
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030. United States
| | - Matthew McMillin
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Thomas E Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Department of Oncology, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
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2
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Radi SH, Vemuri K, Martinez-Lomeli J, Sladek FM. HNF4α isoforms: the fraternal twin master regulators of liver function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1226173. [PMID: 37600688 PMCID: PMC10438950 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1226173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In the more than 30 years since the purification and cloning of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 (HNF4α), considerable insight into its role in liver function has been gleaned from its target genes and mouse experiments. HNF4α plays a key role in lipid and glucose metabolism and intersects with not just diabetes and circadian rhythms but also with liver cancer, although much remains to be elucidated about those interactions. Similarly, while we are beginning to elucidate the role of the isoforms expressed from its two promoters, we know little about the alternatively spliced variants in other portions of the protein and their impact on the 1000-plus HNF4α target genes. This review will address how HNF4α came to be called the master regulator of liver-specific gene expression with a focus on its role in basic metabolism, the contributions of the various isoforms and the intriguing intersection with the circadian clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H. Radi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Kiranmayi Vemuri
- Department of Genetics, Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Jose Martinez-Lomeli
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Frances M. Sladek
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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3
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Otumala AE, Hellen DJ, Luna CA, Delgado P, Dissanayaka A, Ugwumadu C, Oshinowo O, Islam MM, Shen L, Karpen SJ, Myers DR. Opportunities and considerations for studying liver disease with microphysiological systems on a chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2877-2898. [PMID: 37282629 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00940d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Advances in microsystem engineering have enabled the development of highly controlled models of the liver that better recapitulate the unique in vivo biological conditions. In just a few short years, substantial progress has been made in creating complex mono- and multi-cellular models that mimic key metabolic, structural, and oxygen gradients crucial for liver function. Here we review: 1) the state-of-the-art in liver-centric microphysiological systems and 2) the array of liver diseases and pressing biological and therapeutic challenges which could be investigated with these systems. The engineering community has unique opportunities to innovate with new liver-on-a-chip devices and partner with biomedical researchers to usher in a new era of understanding of the molecular and cellular contributors to liver diseases and identify and test rational therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adiya E Otumala
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dominick J Hellen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - C Alessandra Luna
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Priscilla Delgado
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anjana Dissanayaka
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chidozie Ugwumadu
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Oluwamayokun Oshinowo
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Md Mydul Islam
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Luyao Shen
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Saul J Karpen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David R Myers
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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4
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Fu J, Qiu H, Tan CS. Microfluidic Liver-on-a-Chip for Preclinical Drug Discovery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041300. [PMID: 37111785 PMCID: PMC10141038 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug discovery is an expensive, long, and complex process, usually with a high degree of uncertainty. In order to improve the efficiency of drug development, effective methods are demanded to screen lead molecules and eliminate toxic compounds in the preclinical pipeline. Drug metabolism is crucial in determining the efficacy and potential side effects, mainly in the liver. Recently, the liver-on-a-chip (LoC) platform based on microfluidic technology has attracted widespread attention. LoC systems can be applied to predict drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity or to investigate PK/PD (pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics) performance when combined with other artificial organ-on-chips. This review discusses the liver physiological microenvironment simulated by LoC, especially the cell compositions and roles. We summarize the current methods of constructing LoC and the pharmacological and toxicological application of LoC in preclinical research. In conclusion, we also discussed the limitations of LoC in drug discovery and proposed a direction for improvement, which may provide an agenda for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Fu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hailong Qiu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Crystal Materials, Institute of Functional Crystal, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Cherie S Tan
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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5
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Shahabipour F, Satta S, Mahmoodi M, Sun A, de Barros NR, Li S, Hsiai T, Ashammakhi N. Engineering organ-on-a-chip systems to model viral infections. Biofabrication 2023; 15:10.1088/1758-5090/ac6538. [PMID: 35390777 PMCID: PMC9883621 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac6538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases remain a public healthcare concern worldwide. Amidst the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, increasing resources have been diverted to investigate therapeutics targeting the COVID-19 spike glycoprotein and to develop various classes of vaccines. Most of the current investigations employ two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and animal models. However, 2D culture negates the multicellular interactions and three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment, and animal models cannot mimic human physiology because of interspecies differences. On the other hand, organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices introduce a game-changer to model viral infections in human tissues, facilitating high-throughput screening of antiviral therapeutics. In this context, this review provides an overview of thein vitroOoC-based modeling of viral infection, highlighting the strengths and challenges for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Shahabipour
- Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sandro Satta
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mahboobeh Mahmoodi
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
| | - Argus Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Song Li
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tzung Hsiai
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nureddin Ashammakhi
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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6
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Rahimnejad M, Rasouli F, Jahangiri S, Ahmadi S, Rabiee N, Ramezani Farani M, Akhavan O, Asadnia M, Fatahi Y, Hong S, Lee J, Lee J, Hahn SK. Engineered Biomimetic Membranes for Organ-on-a-Chip. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:5038-5059. [PMID: 36347501 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems are engineered nanobiosystems to mimic the physiochemical environment of a specific organ in the body. Among various components of OOC systems, biomimetic membranes have been regarded as one of the most important key components to develop controllable biomimetic bioanalysis systems. Here, we review the preparation and characterization of biomimetic membranes in comparison with the features of the extracellular matrix. After that, we review and discuss the latest applications of engineered biomimetic membranes to fabricate various organs on a chip, such as liver, kidney, intestine, lung, skin, heart, vasculature and blood vessels, brain, and multiorgans with perspectives for further biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Rahimnejad
- Biomedical Engineering Institute, School of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Fariba Rasouli
- Bioceramics and Implants Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 14174-66191, Iran
| | - Sepideh Jahangiri
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Sepideh Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran
| | - Navid Rabiee
- Department of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9161, Iran.,School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14176-14411, Iran
| | - Omid Akhavan
- Department of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9161, Iran
| | - Mohsen Asadnia
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Yousef Fatahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14176-14411, Iran
| | - Sanghoon Hong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Jungho Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Junmin Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
| | - Sei Kwang Hahn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea
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7
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Yang Z, Liu X, Cribbin EM, Kim AM, Li JJ, Yong KT. Liver-on-a-chip: Considerations, advances, and beyond. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:061502. [PMID: 36389273 PMCID: PMC9646254 DOI: 10.1063/5.0106855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body with largest mass of glandular tissue. Modeling the liver has been challenging due to its variety of major functions, including processing nutrients and vitamins, detoxification, and regulating body metabolism. The intrinsic shortfalls of conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture methods for studying pharmacokinetics in parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) have contributed to suboptimal outcomes in clinical trials and drug development. This prompts the development of highly automated, biomimetic liver-on-a-chip (LOC) devices to simulate native liver structure and function, with the aid of recent progress in microfluidics. LOC offers a cost-effective and accurate model for pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity studies. This review provides a critical update on recent developments in designing LOCs and fabrication strategies. We highlight biomimetic design approaches for LOCs, including mimicking liver structure and function, and their diverse applications in areas such as drug screening, toxicity assessment, and real-time biosensing. We capture the newest ideas in the field to advance the field of LOCs and address current challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elise M. Cribbin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Alice M. Kim
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Jiao Jiao Li
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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8
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McCloskey MC, Zhang VZ, Ahmad SD, Walker S, Romanick SS, Awad HA, McGrath JL. Sourcing cells for in vitro models of human vascular barriers of inflammation. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:979768. [PMID: 36483299 PMCID: PMC9724237 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.979768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The vascular system plays a critical role in the progression and resolution of inflammation. The contributions of the vascular endothelium to these processes, however, vary with tissue and disease state. Recently, tissue chip models have emerged as promising tools to understand human disease and for the development of personalized medicine approaches. Inclusion of a vascular component within these platforms is critical for properly evaluating most diseases, but many models to date use "generic" endothelial cells, which can preclude the identification of biomedically meaningful pathways and mechanisms. As the knowledge of vascular heterogeneity and immune cell trafficking throughout the body advances, tissue chip models should also advance to incorporate tissue-specific cells where possible. Here, we discuss the known heterogeneity of leukocyte trafficking in vascular beds of some commonly modeled tissues. We comment on the availability of different tissue-specific cell sources for endothelial cells and pericytes, with a focus on stem cell sources for the full realization of personalized medicine. We discuss sources available for the immune cells needed to model inflammatory processes and the findings of tissue chip models that have used the cells to studying transmigration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C. McCloskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Victor Z. Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - S. Danial Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Samuel Walker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Samantha S. Romanick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Hani A. Awad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - James L. McGrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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9
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Dalsbecker P, Beck Adiels C, Goksör M. Liver-on-a-chip devices: the pros and cons of complexity. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 323:G188-G204. [PMID: 35819853 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00346.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Physiologically relevant and broadly applicable liver cell culture platforms are of great importance in both drug development and disease modeling. Organ-on-a-chip systems offer a promising alternative to conventional, static two-dimensional (2-D) cultures, providing much-needed cues such as perfusion, shear stress, and three-dimensional (3-D) cell-cell communication. However, such devices cover a broad range of complexity both in manufacture and in implementation. In this review, we summarize the key features of the human liver that should be reflected in a physiologically relevant liver-on-a-chip model. We also discuss different material properties of importance in producing liver-on-a-chip devices and summarize recent and current progress in the field, highlighting different types of devices at different levels of complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mattias Goksör
- Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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10
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Liu J, Feng C, Zhang M, Song F, Liu H. Design and Fabrication of a Liver-on-a-chip Reconstructing Tissue-tissue Interfaces. Front Oncol 2022; 12:959299. [PMID: 35992870 PMCID: PMC9389071 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.959299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the rapid advances in the liver-on-a-chip platforms, it remains a daunting challenge to construct a biomimetic liver-on-a-chip for in vitro research. This study aimed to reconstruct the tissue-tissue interfaces based on bilayer microspheres and form vascularized liver tissue. Firstly, we designed a tri-vascular liver-on-a-chip (TVLOC) comprising a hepatic artery, a portal vein and a central vein, and theoretically analyzed the distribution of velocity and concentration fields in the culture area. Secondly, we designed a bilayer microsphere generating microsystem based on the coaxial confocal principle, which is primarily used to produce bilayer microspheres containing different kinds of cells. Finally, the bilayer microspheres were co-cultured with endothelial cells in the cell culture area of the TVLOC to form vascularized liver tissue, and the cell viability and vascular network growth were analyzed. The results revealed that the TVLOC designed in this study can provide a substance concentration gradient similar to that of the liver microenvironment, and the bilayer microspheres can form a three-dimensional (3D) orderly liver structure with endothelial cells. Such a liver-on-a-chip is capable of maintaining the function of hepatocytes (HCs) pretty well. This work provides full insights into further simulation of the liver-on-a-chip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Chong Feng
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
- *Correspondence: Haochen Liu, ; Feng Song,
| | - Haochen Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Haochen Liu, ; Feng Song,
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11
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Long Y, Niu Y, Liang K, Du Y. Mechanical communication in fibrosis progression. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 32:70-90. [PMID: 34810063 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical hallmarks of fibrotic microenvironments are both outcomes and causes of fibrosis progression. Understanding how cells sense and transmit mechanical cues in the interplay with extracellular matrix (ECM) and hemodynamic forces is a significant challenge. Recent advances highlight the evolvement of intracellular mechanotransduction pathways responding to ECM remodeling and abnormal hemodynamics (i.e., low and disturbed shear stress, pathological stretch, and increased pressure), which are prevalent biomechanical characteristics of fibrosis in multiple organs (e.g., liver, lung, and heart). Here, we envisage the mechanical communication in cell-ECM, cell-hemodynamics and cell-ECM-cell crosstalk (namely paratensile signaling) during fibrosis expansion. We also provide a comprehensive overview of in vitro and in silico engineering systems for disease modeling that will aid the identification and prediction of mechano-based therapeutic targets to ameliorate fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Long
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Joint Graduate Program of Peking-Tsinghua-National Institute of Biological Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yudi Niu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kaini Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yanan Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Joint Graduate Program of Peking-Tsinghua-National Institute of Biological Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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12
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Kolaric TO, Nincevic V, Kuna L, Duspara K, Bojanic K, Vukadin S, Raguz-Lucic N, Wu GY, Smolic M. Drug-induced Fatty Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Treatment. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:731-737. [PMID: 34722188 PMCID: PMC8516847 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2020.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (commonly known as MAFLD) impacts global health in epidemic proportions, and the resulting morbidity, mortality and economic burden is enormous. While much attention has been given to metabolic syndrome and obesity as offending factors, a growing incidence of polypharmacy, especially in the elderly, has greatly increased the risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in general, and drug-induced fatty liver disease (DIFLD) in particular. This review focuses on the contribution of DIFLD to DILI in terms of epidemiology, pathophysiology, the most common drugs associated with DIFLD, and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Omanovic Kolaric
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vjera Nincevic
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Lucija Kuna
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | - Kristina Bojanic
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
- Health Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Sonja Vukadin
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nikola Raguz-Lucic
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
| | - George Y Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Martina Smolic
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia
- Correspondence to: Martina Smolic, University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, J. Huttlera 4, Osijek 31000, Croatia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6867-826X. Tel: + 385-31-512-800, Fax: +385-31-512-833, E-mail:
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13
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Lee SY, Kim D, Lee SH, Sung JH. Microtechnology-based in vitro models: Mimicking liver function and pathophysiology. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:041505. [PMID: 34703969 PMCID: PMC8520487 DOI: 10.1063/5.0061896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver plays important roles in drug metabolism and homeostasis. The metabolism and biotransformation can not only affect the efficacy of drugs but also result in hepatotoxicity and drug-induced liver injury. Understanding the complex physiology of the liver and the pathogenetic mechanisms of liver diseases is essential for drug development. Conventional in vitro models have limitations in the ability to predict drug effects, due to the lack of physiological relevance. Recently, the liver-on-a-chip platform has been developed to reproduce the microarchitecture and in vivo environment of the liver. These efforts have improved the physiological relevance of the liver tissue used in the platform and have demonstrated its applicability to drug screening and disease models. In this review, we summarize the recent development of liver-on-a-chip models that closely mimic the in vivo liver environments and liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Yeon Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Seoul 04066, South Korea
| | - Donghyun Kim
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Lee
- Department of Bionano Engineering, Center for Bionano Intelligence Education and Research, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, South Korea
| | - Jong Hwan Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Seoul 04066, South Korea
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Du K, Li S, Li C, Li P, Miao C, Luo T, Qiu B, Ding W. Modeling nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on a liver lobule chip with dual blood supply. Acta Biomater 2021; 134:228-239. [PMID: 34265474 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a public health concern. To date, the mechanism of NAFLD progression remains unclear, and pharmacological treatment options are scarce. Traditional animal NAFLD models are limited in helping address these problems due to interspecies differences. Liver chips are promising for modeling NAFLD. However, pre-existing liver chips cannot reproduce complex physicochemical microenvironments of the liver effectively; thus, NAFLD modeling based on these chips is incomplete. Herein, we develop a biomimetic liver lobule chip (LC) and then establish a more accurate on-chip NAFLD model. The self-developed LC achieves dual blood supply through the designed hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery and the microtissue cultured on the LC forms multiple structures similar to in vivo liver. Based on the LC, NAFLD is modeled. Steatosis is successfully induced and more importantly, changing lipid zonation in a liver lobule with the progression of NAFLD is demonstrated for the first time on a microfluidic chip. In addition, the application of the induced NAFLD model has been preliminarily demonstrated in the prevention and reversibility of promising drugs. This study provides a promising platform to understand NAFLD progression and identify drugs for treating NAFLD. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Liver chips are promising for modeling nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, on-chip replicating liver physicochemical microenvironments is still a challenge. Herein, we developed a liver lobule chip with dual blood supply, achieving self-organized liver microtissue that is similar to in vivo tissue. Based on the chip, we successfully modeled NAFLD under physiologically differentiated nutrient supplies. For the first time, the changing lipid zonation in a single liver lobule with the early-stage progression of NAFLD was demonstrated on a liver chip. This study provides a promising platform for modeling liver-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Du
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Shibo Li
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Chengpan Li
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Ping Li
- Chinese Integrative Medicine Oncology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Chunguang Miao
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Tianzhi Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Weiping Ding
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
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Özkan A, Stolley DL, Cressman ENK, McMillin M, DeMorrow S, Yankeelov TE, Rylander MN. Tumor Microenvironment Alters Chemoresistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through CYP3A4 Metabolic Activity. Front Oncol 2021; 11:662135. [PMID: 34262860 PMCID: PMC8273608 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.662135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in tumor biology from patient to patient combined with the low overall survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) present significant clinical challenges. During the progression of chronic liver diseases from inflammation to the development of HCC, microenvironmental properties, including tissue stiffness and oxygen concentration, change over time. This can potentially impact drug metabolism and subsequent therapy response to commonly utilized therapeutics, such as doxorubicin, multi-kinase inhibitors (e.g., sorafenib), and other drugs, including immunotherapies. In this study, we utilized four common HCC cell lines embedded in 3D collagen type-I gels of varying stiffnesses to mimic normal and cirrhotic livers with environmental oxygen regulation to quantify the impact of these microenvironmental factors on HCC chemoresistance. In general, we found that HCC cells with higher baseline levels of cytochrome p450-3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme expression, HepG2 and C3Asub28, exhibited a cirrhosis-dependent increase in doxorubicin chemoresistance. Under the same conditions, HCC cell lines with lower CYP3A4 expression, HuH-7 and Hep3B2, showed a decrease in doxorubicin chemoresistance in response to an increase in microenvironmental stiffness. This differential therapeutic response was correlated with the regulation of CYP3A4 expression levels under the influence of stiffness and oxygen variation. In all tested HCC cell lines, the addition of sorafenib lowered the required doxorubicin dose to induce significant levels of cell death, demonstrating its potential to help reduce systemic doxorubicin toxicity when used in combination. These results suggest that patient-specific tumor microenvironmental factors, including tissue stiffness, hypoxia, and CYP3A4 activity levels, may need to be considered for more effective use of chemotherapeutics in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alican Özkan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Danielle L. Stolley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Erik N. K. Cressman
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Matthew McMillin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Sharon DeMorrow
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Thomas E. Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Oncology, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
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Huang D, Zhang X, Fu X, Zu Y, Sun W, Zhao Y. Liver spheroids on chips as emerging platforms for drug screening. ENGINEERED REGENERATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.engreg.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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17
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Stolley DL, Crouch AC, Özkan A, Seeley EH, Whitley EM, Rylander MN, Cressman ENK. Combining Chemistry and Engineering for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Nano-Scale and Smaller Therapies. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1243. [PMID: 33419304 PMCID: PMC7766014 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a major worldwide cause of death from carcinoma. Most patients are not candidates for surgery and medical therapies, including new immunotherapies, have not shown major improvements since the modest benefit seen with the introduction of sorafenib over a decade ago. Locoregional therapies for intermediate stage disease are not curative but provide some benefit. However, upon close scrutiny, there is still residual disease in most cases. We review the current status for treatment of intermediate stage disease, summarize the literature on correlative histopathology, and discuss emerging methods at micro-, nano-, and pico-scales to improve therapy. These include transarterial hyperthermia methods and thermoembolization, along with microfluidics model systems and new applications of mass spectrometry imaging for label-free analysis of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L. Stolley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (D.L.S.); (M.N.R.)
| | - Anna Colleen Crouch
- Interventional Radiology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.C.C.); (E.M.W.)
| | - Aliçan Özkan
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Erin H. Seeley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Elizabeth M. Whitley
- Interventional Radiology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.C.C.); (E.M.W.)
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (D.L.S.); (M.N.R.)
| | - Erik N. K. Cressman
- Interventional Radiology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.C.C.); (E.M.W.)
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