scholarly journals Engineering Microfluidic Organoid-on-a-Chip Platforms

Micromachines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Yu ◽  
Walter Hunziker ◽  
Deepak Choudhury
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Multipotent Stem Cells ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Complex Organization ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Culture Models

In vitro cell culture models are emerging as promising tools to understand human development, disease progression, and provide reliable, rapid and cost-effective results for drug discovery and screening. In recent years, an increasing number of in vitro models with complex organization and controlled microenvironment have been developed to mimic the in vivo organ structure and function. The invention of organoids, self-organized organ-like cell aggregates that originate from multipotent stem cells, has allowed a whole new level of biomimicry to be achieved. Microfluidic organoid-on-a-chip platforms can facilitate better nutrient and gas exchange and recapitulate 3D tissue architecture and physiology. They have the potential to transform the landscape of drug development and testing. In this review, we discuss the challenges in the current organoid models and describe the recent progress in the field of organoid-on-a-chip.

scholarly journals Human epithelial cells in vitro – Are they an advantageous tool to help understand the nanomaterial-biological barrier interaction?

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser ◽  
Martin J.D. Clift ◽  
Corinne Jud ◽  
Alke Fink ◽  
Peter Wick
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Basic Mechanism ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Cell Culture Models

AbstratThe human body can be exposed to nanomaterials through a variety of different routes. As nanomaterials get in contact with the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and the respiratory tract, these biological compartments are acting as barriers to the passage of nano-sized materials into the organism. These structural and functional barriers are provided by the epithelia serving as an interface between biological compartments. In order to initiate the reduction, refinement and replacement of time consuming, expensive and stressful (to the animals) in vivo experimental approaches, many in vitro epithelial cell culture models have been developed during the last decades. This review therefore, focuses on the functional as well as structural aspects of epithelial cells as well as the most commonly used in vitro epithelial models of the primary biological barriers with which nanomaterials might come in contact with either occupationally, or during their manufacturing and application. The advantages and disadvantages of the different in vitro models are discussed in order to provide a clear overview as to whether or not epithelial cell cultures are an advantageous model to be used for basic mechanism and nanotoxicology research.

scholarly journals Microfluidic Organoids-on-a-Chip: Quantum Leap in Cancer Research

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahriye Duzagac ◽  
Gloria Saorin ◽  
Lorenzo Memeo ◽  
Vincenzo Canzonieri ◽  
Flavio Rizzolio
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Fluid Flows ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Organoid Culture ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Quantum Leap ◽  
High Degree

Organ-like cell clusters, so-called organoids, which exhibit self-organized and similar organ functionality as the tissue of origin, have provided a whole new level of bioinspiration for ex vivo systems. Microfluidic organoid or organs-on-a-chip platforms are a new group of micro-engineered promising models that recapitulate 3D tissue structure and physiology and combines several advantages of current in vivo and in vitro models. Microfluidics technology is used in numerous applications since it allows us to control and manipulate fluid flows with a high degree of accuracy. This system is an emerging tool for understanding disease development and progression, especially for personalized therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, which provide well-grounded, cost-effective, powerful, fast, and reproducible results. In this review, we highlight how the organoid-on-a-chip models have improved the potential of efficiency and reproducibility of organoid cultures. More widely, we discuss current challenges and development on organoid culture systems together with microfluidic approaches and their limitations. Finally, we describe the recent progress and potential utilization in the organs-on-a-chip practice.

scholarly journals Modelling the Human Placental Interface In Vitro—A Review

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Marta Cherubini ◽  
Scott Erickson ◽  
Kristina Haase
Keyword(s):  
Drug Testing ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Control

Acting as the primary link between mother and fetus, the placenta is involved in regulating nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange; thus, healthy placental development is crucial for a successful pregnancy. In line with the increasing demands of the fetus, the placenta evolves throughout pregnancy, making it a particularly difficult organ to study. Research into placental development and dysfunction poses a unique scientific challenge due to ethical constraints and the differences in morphology and function that exist between species. Recently, there have been increased efforts towards generating in vitro models of the human placenta. Advancements in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), microfluidics, and bioprinting have each contributed to the development of new models, which can be designed to closely match physiological in vivo conditions. By including relevant placental cell types and control over the microenvironment, these new in vitro models promise to reveal clues to the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and facilitate drug testing across the maternal–fetal interface. In this minireview, we aim to highlight current in vitro placental models and their applications in the study of disease and discuss future avenues for these in vitro models.

scholarly journals Cortical Spheroid Model for Studying the Effects of Ischemic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M McLaughlin ◽  
Amanda Laguna ◽  
Ilayda Top ◽  
Christien Hernadez ◽  
Liane L Livi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Glucose Deprivation ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
3D Architecture ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Antioxidant Agent

Stroke is a devastating neurological disorder and a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Despite many decades of research, there are still very few therapeutic options for patients suffering from stroke or its consequences. This is partially due to the limitations of current research models, including traditional in vitro models which lack the three-dimensional (3D) architecture and cellular make-up of the in vivo brain. 3D spheroids derived from primary postnatal rat cortex provide an in vivo-relevant model containing a similar cellular composition to the native cortex and a cell-synthesized extracellular matrix. These spheroids are cost-effective, highly reproducible, and can be produced in a high-throughput manner, making this model an ideal candidate for screening potential therapeutics. To study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of stroke in this model, spheroids were deprived of glucose, oxygen, or both oxygen and glucose for 24 hours. Both oxygen and oxygen-glucose deprived spheroids demonstrated many of the hallmarks of stroke, including a decrease in metabolism, an increase in neural dysfunction, and an increase in reactive astrocytes. Pretreatment of spheroids with the antioxidant agent N-acetylcysteine (NAC) mitigated the decrease in ATP seen after 24 hours of oxygen-glucose deprivation. Together, these results show the utility of our 3D cortical spheroid model for studying ischemic injury and its potential for screening stroke therapeutics.

Characterizing the Phenotypic Response of Endothelial Cells Cultured on Pro-Angiogenic In Vitro Tumor Mimics

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Szot ◽  
Cara F. Buchanan ◽  
Joseph W. Freeman ◽  
Marissa Nichole Rylander
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Preclinical Models ◽  
Fda Approval ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Cell Culture Models

Despite the 200 billion dollars invested in cancer therapy research and development since 1971, only 5% of new drugs entering clinical trials successfully obtain FDA approval [1, 2]. There is a growing concern in the cancer research community that this slow movement in progress stems from the need for improved preclinical models for testing new therapeutic agents [1]. A burgeoning interface between cancer research and tissue engineering is transforming how tumor development is being studied in vitro. As a result, complex 3D cancer cell culture models are beginning to be developed with phenotypes representative of in vivo cancer progression [3].

scholarly journals PPAR-gamma Fun(gi) With Prostaglandin

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 155076291989964
Author(s):  
Robert J. Evans ◽  
Simon A. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Ppar Gamma ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Inflammatory Phenotypes ◽  
First Time ◽  
Cell Culture Models

In our recent publication, we show for the first time that the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is able to manipulate host cells by producing eicosanoids that mimic those found in the host. Using complementary in vivo zebrafish and in vitro macrophage cell culture models of Cryptococcus infection, we found that these eicosanoids manipulate host innate immune cells by activating the host receptor PPAR-gamma which is an important regulator of macrophage inflammatory phenotypes. We initially identified PGE2 as the eicosanoid species responsible for this effect; however, we later found that a derivative of PGE2—15-keto-PGE2—was ultimately responsible and that this eicosanoid acted as a partial agonist to PPAR-gamma. In this commentary, we will discuss some of the concepts and conclusions in our original publication and expand on their implications and future directions.

scholarly journals Breaking the Third Wall: Implementing 3D-Printing Technics to Expand the Complexity and Abilities of Multi-Organ-on-a-Chip Devices

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 627
Author(s):  
Yoel Goldstein ◽  
Sarah Spitz ◽  
Keren Turjeman ◽  
Florian Selinger ◽  
Yechezkel Barenholz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Biological Compatibility ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Organ On A Chip

The understanding that systemic context and tissue crosstalk are essential keys for bridging the gap between in vitro models and in vivo conditions led to a growing effort in the last decade to develop advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices. However, many of the proposed devices have failed to implement the means to allow for conditions tailored to each organ individually, a crucial aspect in cell functionality. Here, we present two 3D-print-based fabrication methods for a generic multi-organ-on-a-chip device: One with a PDMS microfluidic core unit and one based on 3D-printed units. The device was designed for culturing different tissues in separate compartments by integrating individual pairs of inlets and outlets, thus enabling tissue-specific perfusion rates that facilitate the generation of individual tissue-adapted perfusion profiles. The device allowed tissue crosstalk using microchannel configuration and permeable membranes used as barriers between individual cell culture compartments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation confirmed the capability to generate significant differences in shear stress between the two individual culture compartments, each with a selective shear force. In addition, we provide preliminary findings that indicate the feasibility for biological compatibility for cell culture and long-term incubation in 3D-printed wells. Finally, we offer a cost-effective, accessible protocol enabling the design and fabrication of advanced multi-organ-on-a-chip devices.

scholarly journals Optimizations of In Vitro Mucus and Cell Culture Models to Better Predict In Vivo Gene Transfer in Pathological Lung Respiratory Airways: Cystic Fibrosis as an Example

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Rosy Ghanem ◽  
Véronique Laurent ◽  
Philippe Roquefort ◽  
Tanguy Haute ◽  
Sophie Ramel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Gene Delivery ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Transfer Strategies ◽  
Cell Culture Models

The respiratory epithelium can be affected by many diseases that could be treated using aerosol gene therapy. Among these, cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal inherited disease characterized by airways complications, which determine the life expectancy and the effectiveness of aerosolized treatments. Beside evaluations performed under in vivo settings, cell culture models mimicking in vivo pathophysiological conditions can provide complementary insights into the potential of gene transfer strategies. Such models must consider multiple parameters, following the rationale that proper gene transfer evaluations depend on whether they are performed under experimental conditions close to pathophysiological settings. In addition, the mucus layer, which covers the epithelial cells, constitutes a physical barrier for gene delivery, especially in diseases such as CF. Artificial mucus models featuring physical and biological properties similar to CF mucus allow determining the ability of gene transfer systems to effectively reach the underlying epithelium. In this review, we describe mucus and cellular models relevant for CF aerosol gene therapy, with a particular emphasis on mucus rheology. We strongly believe that combining multiple pathophysiological features in single complex cell culture models could help bridge the gaps between in vitro and in vivo settings, as well as viral and non-viral gene delivery strategies.

scholarly journals Selenomethionine-Dominated Selenium-Enriched Peanut Protein Ameliorates Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease in Mice by Suppressing Oxidative Stress

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2979
Author(s):  
Lin Gao ◽  
Jiawei Yuan ◽  
Yuhuan Cheng ◽  
Mengling Chen ◽  
Genhua Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Peanut Protein ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Therapeutic Properties ◽  
Cell Culture Models ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

Numerous natural compounds are considered as potential therapeutic agents against alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD). Research shows that selenium (Se) has a variety of bioactivities, including liver protecting ability. The present study based on in vitro cell culture models and in vivo mouse models was aimed at examining the contribution of selenomethionine (SeMet)-dominated Se-enriched peanut protein (SePP) to liver protection. SeMet and especially SePP reversed cell viability and cell death, inhibited ethanol induced CYP2E1 activation, decreased reactive oxygen species level, and restored GSH level. Hence, SeMet-dominated SePP alleviates alcohol-induced AML-12 cytotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress. The p38-dependent mechanism was found to be responsible for SePP-induced Nrf-2 activation. Furthermore, supplementation with SePP and SeMet regulated lipid metabolism and reduced oxidative stress, minimizing liver damage in mice. Selenomethionine-dominated SePP possesses potential therapeutic properties and can be used to treat ALD through the suppression of oxidative stress.

scholarly journals Assessment of CAR-T mediated and targeted cytotoxicity in 3D microfluidic TBNC co-culture models for combination therapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla Anna Findlay Paterson ◽  
Sarah Paterson ◽  
Theresa Mulholland ◽  
Seth B Coffelt ◽  
Michele Zagnoni
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Car T Cell ◽  
Effective Combination ◽  
Car T ◽  
Culture Models

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is efficacious against many haematological malignancies; however, their therapeutic application to treat solid tumours presents further challenges. A better understanding of how the solid TME impacts CAR-T anti-tumour effects would enable the selection of effective combination therapies to decipher the optimal course of treatment for patients and to better engineer CAR-Ts. Classical 2D in vitro models do not provide sufficient recapitulation of the native human TME, and in vivo models, such as patient-derived xenografts, are costly, complex and labour intensive. Here, we present a novel 3D, miniaturised assay for the evaluation of EGFR-targeted CAR-T cell cytotoxicity and specificity on tumour-stroma triple-negative breast cancer models in microfluidic devices. CAR-T cells were shown to home towards EGFR-expressing cancer cells to elicit a cytotoxic effect, whilst leaving low EGFR-expressing fibroblasts viable, an effect which was enhanced through combination anti-PD-L1 therapy and carboplatin chemotherapy. Hence, we propose this proof-of-concept immunoassay as a future preclinical screening tool for the development of novel immunotherapeutics and for use in personalized medicine.

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