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Goyal G, Belgur C, Ingber DE. Human organ chips for regenerative pharmacology. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2024; 12:e01159. [PMID: 38149766 PMCID: PMC10751726 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Human organs-on-chips (organ chips) are small microfluidic devices that allow human cells to perform complex organ-level functions in vitro by recreating multi-cellular and multi-tissue structures and applying in vivo-like biomechanical cues. Human Organ Chips are being used for drug discovery and toxicology testing as an alternative to animal models which are ethically challenging and often do not predict clinical efficacy or toxicity. In this mini-review, we summarize our presentation that reviewed the state of the art relating to these microfluidic culture devices designed to mimic specific human organ structures and functions, and the application of Organ Chips to regenerative pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girija Goyal
- Wyss Institute for BiologicallyInspired Engineering at Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Chaitra Belgur
- Wyss Institute for BiologicallyInspired Engineering at Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Donald E. Ingber
- Wyss Institute for BiologicallyInspired Engineering at Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Vascular Biology Program and Department of SurgeryBoston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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Lee EJ, Krassin ZL, Abaci HE, Mahler GJ, Esch MB. Pumped and pumpless microphysiological systems to study (nano)therapeutics. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2023; 15:e1911. [PMID: 37464464 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Fluidic microphysiological systems (MPS) are microfluidic cell culture devices that are designed to mimic the biochemical and biophysical in vivo microenvironments of human tissues better than conventional petri dishes or well-plates. MPS-grown tissue cultures can be used for probing new drugs for their potential primary and secondary toxicities as well as their efficacy. The systems can also be used for assessing the effects of environmental nanoparticles and nanotheranostics, including their rate of uptake, biodistribution, elimination, and toxicity. Pumpless MPS are a group of MPS that often utilize gravity to recirculate cell culture medium through their microfluidic networks, providing some advantages, but also presenting some challenges. They can be operated with near-physiological amounts of blood surrogate (i.e., cell culture medium) that can recirculate in bidirectional or unidirectional flow patterns depending on the device configuration. Here we discuss recent advances in the design and use of both pumped and pumpless MPS with a focus on where pumpless devices can contribute to realizing the potential future role of MPS in evaluating nanomaterials. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jin Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
- Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Zachary L Krassin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Hasan Erbil Abaci
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gretchen J Mahler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Mandy B Esch
- Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
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Tsukamoto Y, Hirashita Y, Shibata T, Fumoto S, Kurogi S, Nakada C, Kinoshita K, Fuchino T, Murakami K, Inomata M, Moriyama M, Hijiya N. Patient-Derived Ex Vivo Cultures and Endpoint Assays with Surrogate Biomarkers in Functional Testing for Prediction of Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4104. [PMID: 37627132 PMCID: PMC10452496 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prediction of therapeutic outcomes is important for cancer patients in order to reduce side effects and improve the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Currently, the most widely accepted method for predicting the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs is gene panel testing based on next-generation sequencing. However, gene panel testing has several limitations. For example, only 10% of cancer patients are estimated to have druggable mutations, even if whole-exome sequencing is applied. Additionally, even if optimal drugs are selected, a significant proportion of patients derive no benefit from the indicated drug treatment. Furthermore, most of the anti-cancer drugs selected by gene panel testing are molecularly targeted drugs, and the efficacies of cytotoxic drugs remain difficult to predict. Apart from gene panel testing, attempts to predict chemotherapeutic efficacy using ex vivo cultures from cancer patients have been increasing. Several groups have retrospectively demonstrated correlations between ex vivo drug sensitivity and clinical outcome. For ex vivo culture, surgically resected tumor tissue is the most abundant source. However, patients with recurrent or metastatic tumors do not usually undergo surgery, and chemotherapy may be the only option for those with inoperable tumors. Therefore, predictive methods using small amounts of cancer tissue from diagnostic materials such as endoscopic, fine-needle aspirates, needle cores and liquid biopsies are needed. To achieve this, various types of ex vivo culture and endpoint assays using effective surrogate biomarkers of drug sensitivity have recently been developed. Here, we review the variety of ex vivo cultures and endpoint assays currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Tsukamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Yuka Hirashita
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Shoichi Fumoto
- Department of Surgery, Oita Nakamura Hospital, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Shusaku Kurogi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Chisato Nakada
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kinoshita
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Takafumi Fuchino
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Kazunari Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Masafumi Inomata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Moriyama
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Naoki Hijiya
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan
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Mayo V, Bowles AC, Wubker LE, Ortiz I, Cordoves AM, Cote RJ, Correa D, Agarwal A. Human-derived osteoblast-like cells and pericyte-like cells induce distinct metastatic phenotypes in primary breast cancer cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:971-985. [PMID: 33210551 PMCID: PMC8024509 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220971599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 70% of advanced breast cancer patients will develop bone metastases, which accounts for ∼90% of cancer-related mortality. Breast cancer circulating tumor cells (CTCs) establish metastatic tumors in the bone after a close interaction with local bone marrow cells including pericytes and osteoblasts, both related to resident mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) progenitors. In vitro recapitulation of the critical cellular players of the bone microenvironment and infiltrating CTCs could provide new insights into their cross-talk during the metastatic cascade, helping in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Human BM-MSCs were isolated and fractionated according to CD146 presence. CD146+ cells were utilized as pericyte-like cells (PLCs) given the high expression of the marker in perivascular cells, while CD146- cells were induced into an osteogenic phenotype generating osteoblast-like cells (OLCs). Transwell migration assays were performed to establish whether primary breast cancer cells (3384T) were attracted to OLC. Furthermore, proliferation of 3384T breast cancer cells was assessed in the presence of PLC- and OLC-derived conditioned media. Additionally, conditioned media cultures as well as transwell co-cultures of each OLCs and PLCs were performed with 3384T breast cancer cells for gene expression interrogation assessing their induced transcriptional changes with an emphasis on metastatic potential. PLC as well as their conditioned media increased motility and invasion potential of 3384T breast cancer cells, while OLC induced a dormant phenotype, downregulating invasiveness markers related with migration and proliferation. Altogether, these results indicate that PLC distinctively drive 3384T cancer cells to an invasive and migratory phenotype, while OLC induce a quiescence state, thus recapitulating the different phases of the in vivo bone metastatic process. These data show that phenotypic responses from metastasizing cancer cells are influenced by neighboring cells at the bone metastatic niche during the establishment of secondary metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Mayo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Annie C Bowles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Laura E Wubker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Ismael Ortiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Albert M Cordoves
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Richard J Cote
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Diego Correa
- Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
- Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Maxey AP, McCain ML. Tools, techniques, and future opportunities for characterizing the mechanobiology of uterine myometrium. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:1025-1035. [PMID: 33554648 DOI: 10.1177/1535370221989259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The myometrium is the smooth muscle layer of the uterus that generates the contractions that drive processes such as menstruation and childbirth. Aberrant contractions of the myometrium can result in preterm birth, insufficient progression of labor, or other difficulties that can lead to maternal or fetal complications or even death. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of these conditions, the most common model systems have conventionally been animal models and human tissue strips, which have limitations mostly related to relevance and scalability, respectively. Myometrial smooth muscle cells have also been isolated from patient biopsies and cultured in vitro as a more controlled experimental system. However, in vitro approaches have focused primarily on measuring the effects of biochemical stimuli and neglected biomechanical stimuli, despite the extensive evidence indicating that remodeling of tissue rigidity or excessive strain is associated with uterine disorders. In this review, we first describe the existing approaches for modeling human myometrium with animal models and human tissue strips and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Next, we introduce existing in vitro techniques and assays for assessing contractility and summarize their applications in elucidating the role of biochemical or biomechanical stimuli on human myometrium. Finally, we conclude by proposing the translation of "organ on chip" approaches to myometrial smooth muscle cells as new paradigms for establishing their fundamental mechanobiology and to serve as next-generation platforms for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonina P Maxey
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Megan L McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Besser RR, Bowles AC, Alassaf A, Carbonero D, Claure I, Jones E, Reda J, Wubker L, Batchelor W, Ziebarth N, Silvera R, Khan A, Maciel R, Saporta M, Agarwal A. Enzymatically crosslinked gelatin-laminin hydrogels for applications in neuromuscular tissue engineering. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:591-606. [PMID: 31859298 PMCID: PMC7141910 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01430f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We report a water-soluble and non-toxic method to incorporate additional extracellular matrix proteins into gelatin hydrogels, while obviating the use of chemical crosslinkers such as glutaraldehyde. Gelatin hydrogels were fabricated using a range of gelatin concentrations (4%-10%) that corresponded to elastic moduli of approximately 1 kPa-25 kPa, respectively, a substrate stiffness relevant for multiple cell types. Microbial transglutaminase was then used to enzymatically crosslink a layer of laminin on top of gelatin hydrogels, resulting in 2-component gelatin-laminin hydrogels. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived spinal spheroids readily adhered and rapidly extended axons on GEL-LN hydrogels. Axons displayed a more mature morphology and superior electrophysiological properties on GEL-LN hydrogels compared to the controls. Schwann cells on GEL-LN hydrogels adhered and proliferated normally, displayed a healthy morphology, and maintained the expression of Schwann cell specific markers. Lastly, skeletal muscle cells on GEL-LN hydrogels achieved long-term culture for up to 28 days without delamination, while expressing higher levels of terminal genes including myosin heavy chain, MyoD, MuSK, and M-cadherin suggesting enhanced maturation potential and myotube formation compared to the controls. Future studies will employ the superior culture outcomes of this hybrid substrate for engineering functional neuromuscular junctions and related organ on a chip applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Besser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine K. Yeung
- Department of Pharmacy and
- Kidney Research Institute, School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jonathan Himmelfarb
- Kidney Research Institute, School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Bhushan A, Martucci NJ, Usta OB, Yarmush ML. New technologies in drug metabolism and toxicity screening: organ-to-organ interaction. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2016; 12:475-7. [PMID: 26940609 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2016.1162292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Bhushan
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Illinois Institute of Technology , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Nicole J Martucci
- b Department of Biomedical Engineering , Binghamton University , Binghamton , NY , USA
| | - O Berk Usta
- c Center for Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School , Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Martin L Yarmush
- c Center for Engineering in Medicine, Harvard Medical School , Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston , MA , USA.,d Department of Biomedical Engineering , Rutgers University , Piscataway , NJ , USA
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Capulli AK, Tian K, Mehandru N, Bukhta A, Choudhury SF, Suchyta M, Parker KK. Approaching the in vitro clinical trial: engineering organs on chips. Lab Chip 2014; 14:3181-6. [PMID: 24828385 PMCID: PMC4117800 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00276h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In vitro cell culture and animal models are the most heavily relied upon tools of the pharmaceutical industry. When these tools fail, the results are costly and have at times, proven deadly. One promising new tool to enhance preclinical development of drugs is Organs on Chips (OOCs), proposed as a clinically and physiologically relevant means of modeling health and disease. Bringing the patient from bedside to bench in this form requires that the design, build, and test of OOCs be founded in clinical observations and methods. By creating OOCs as models of the patient, the industry may be better positioned to evaluate medicinal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Capulli
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Pierce Hall 321, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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McCain ML, Sheehy SP, Grosberg A, Goss JA, Parker KK. Recapitulating maladaptive, multiscale remodeling of failing myocardium on a chip. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:9770-5. [PMID: 23716679 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1304913110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of a robust pipeline of medical therapeutic agents for the treatment of heart disease may be partially attributed to the lack of in vitro models that recapitulate the essential structure-function relationships of healthy and diseased myocardium. We designed and built a system to mimic mechanical overload in vitro by applying cyclic stretch to engineered laminar ventricular tissue on a stretchable chip. To test our model, we quantified changes in gene expression, myocyte architecture, calcium handling, and contractile function and compared our results vs. several decades of animal studies and clinical observations. Cyclic stretch activated gene expression profiles characteristic of pathological remodeling, including decreased α- to β-myosin heavy chain ratios, and induced maladaptive changes to myocyte shape and sarcomere alignment. In stretched tissues, calcium transients resembled those reported in failing myocytes and peak systolic stress was significantly reduced. Our results suggest that failing myocardium, as defined genetically, structurally, and functionally, can be replicated in an in vitro microsystem by faithfully recapitulating the structural and mechanical microenvironment of the diseased heart.
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