scholarly journals Design and Fabrication of Organ-on-Chips: Promises and Challenges

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1443
Author(s):  
Alireza Tajeddin ◽  
Nur Mustafaoglu
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Drug Evaluation ◽  
Interdisciplinary Studies ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Cell Culture Techniques ◽  
Microfabrication Techniques

The advent of the miniaturization approach has influenced the research trends in almost all disciplines. Bioengineering is one of the fields benefiting from the new possibilities of microfabrication techniques, especially in cell and tissue culture, disease modeling, and drug discovery. The limitations of existing 2D cell culture techniques, the high time and cost requirements, and the considerable failure rates have led to the idea of 3D cell culture environments capable of providing physiologically relevant tissue functions in vitro. Organ-on-chips are microfluidic devices used in this context as a potential alternative to in vivo animal testing to reduce the cost and time required for drug evaluation. This emerging technology contributes significantly to the development of various research areas, including, but not limited to, tissue engineering and drug discovery. However, it also brings many challenges. Further development of the technology requires interdisciplinary studies as some problems are associated with the materials and their manufacturing techniques. Therefore, in this paper, organ-on-chip technologies are presented, focusing on the design and fabrication requirements. Then, state-of-the-art materials and microfabrication techniques are described in detail to show their advantages and also their limitations. A comparison and identification of gaps for current use and further studies are therefore the subject of the final discussion.

scholarly journals A reliable and affordable 3D tumor spheroid model for natural product drug discovery: A case study of curcumin

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loh Teng Hern Tan ◽  
Liang Ee Low ◽  
Siah Ying Tang ◽  
Wei Hsum Yap ◽  
Lay Hong Chuah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Automated Image Analysis ◽  
Tumor Spheroids ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
In Vivo Models

Three-dimensional cell culture methods revolutionize the field of anticancer drug discovery, forming an important link-bridge between conventional in vitro and in vivo models and conferring significant clinical and biological relevant data. The current work presents an affordable yet reproducible method of generating homogenous 3D tumor spheroids. Also, a new open source software is adapted to perform an automated image analysis of 3D tumor spheroids and subsequently generate a list of morphological parameters of which could be utilized to determine the response of these spheroids toward treatments. Our data showed that this work could serve as a reliable 3D cell culture platform for preclinical cytotoxicity testing of natural products prior to the expensive and time-consuming animal models

scholarly journals Biomaterial-Assisted Regenerative Medicine

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8657
Author(s):  
Teruki Nii ◽  
Yoshiki Katayama
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Drug Screening ◽  
Drug Research ◽  
Drug Evaluation ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
The Body ◽  
In Vivo Studies

This review aims to show case recent regenerative medicine based on biomaterial technologies. Regenerative medicine has arousing substantial interest throughout the world, with “The enhancement of cell activity” one of the essential concepts for the development of regenerative medicine. For example, drug research on drug screening is an important field of regenerative medicine, with the purpose of efficient evaluation of drug effects. It is crucial to enhance cell activity in the body for drug research because the difference in cell condition between in vitro and in vivo leads to a gap in drug evaluation. Biomaterial technology is essential for the further development of regenerative medicine because biomaterials effectively support cell culture or cell transplantation with high cell viability or activity. For example, biomaterial-based cell culture and drug screening could obtain information similar to preclinical or clinical studies. In the case of in vivo studies, biomaterials can assist cell activity, such as natural healing potential, leading to efficient tissue repair of damaged tissue. Therefore, regenerative medicine combined with biomaterials has been noted. For the research of biomaterial-based regenerative medicine, the research objective of regenerative medicine should link to the properties of the biomaterial used in the study. This review introduces regenerative medicine with biomaterial.

scholarly journals Bioengineered 3D Glial Cell Culture Systems and Applications for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Marc D. Watson ◽  
Edel Kavanagh ◽  
Gary Allenby ◽  
Matthew Vassey
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Glial Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Cellular Environment

Neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation are key features in a range of chronic central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as acute conditions like stroke and traumatic brain injury, for which there remains significant unmet clinical need. It is now well recognized that current cell culture methodologies are limited in their ability to recapitulate the cellular environment that is present in vivo, and there is a growing body of evidence to show that three-dimensional (3D) culture systems represent a more physiologically accurate model than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures. Given the complexity of the environment from which cells originate, and their various cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, it is important to develop models that can be controlled and reproducible for drug discovery. 3D cell models have now been developed for almost all CNS cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocyte cells. This review will highlight a number of current and emerging techniques for the culture of astrocytes and microglia, glial cell types with a critical role in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions. We describe recent advances in glial cell culture using electrospun polymers and hydrogel macromolecules, and highlight how these novel culture environments influence astrocyte and microglial phenotypes in vitro, as compared to traditional 2D systems. These models will be explored to illuminate current trends in the techniques used to create 3D environments for application in research and drug discovery focused on astrocytes and microglial cells.

Advanced cell culture techniques for cancer research

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Balik ◽  
Karolina Matulewicz ◽  
Paulina Modrakowska ◽  
Jolanta Kozłowska ◽  
Xavier Montane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Cell Culture Techniques ◽  
Culture Techniques ◽  
Strong Trend ◽  
Anti Cancer

Abstract The incessant increase number of cancer cases, motivates scientists to constantly develop and search for new therapies. Along with the dynamic development of anti-cancer drugs and therapies, we are witnessing huge progress in the world of science - the development of personalized medicine. An inseparable element is also a very strong trend in the development of new in vitro animal models for chemotherapeutic research. Cell cultures are commonly undertaken by research models before animal testing. They are the basis for the development of new diagnostic and cancer treatments. It should be emphasized that basic research is a strong foundation for any therapy introduced. This chapter provides an overview of the modern cell culture techniques that are currently developing, which allow the introduction of modern models that reflect the organs and physiological system. Currently available cell culture methods are a key aspect of studying these interactions, however, a method that eliminates the limitations of standard methods is still being sought.

scholarly journals An investigation into the possibility of bluetongue virus transmission by transfer of infected ovine embryos

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle H. Venter ◽  
Truuske Gerdes ◽  
Isabel Wright ◽  
Johan Terblanche
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Infected Sheep ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Cell Culture Techniques ◽  
Culture Techniques

Bluetongue (BT), a disease that affects mainly sheep, causes economic losses owing to not only its deleterious effects on animals but also its associated impact on the restriction of movement of livestock and livestock germplasm. The causative agent, bluetongue virus (BTV), can occur in the semen of rams and bulls at the time of peak viraemia and be transferred to a developing foetus. The risk of the transmission of BTV by bovine embryos is negligible if the embryos are washed according to the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) protocol. Two experiments were undertaken to determine whether this holds for ovine embryos that had been exposed to BTV. Firstly, the oestrus cycles of 12 ewes were synchronised and the 59 embryos that were obtained were exposed in vitro to BTV-2 and BTV-4 at a dilution of 1 x 102.88 and 1 x 103.5 respectively. In the second experiment, embryos were recovered from sheep at the peak of viraemia. A total of 96 embryos were collected from BTV-infected sheep 21 days after infection. In both experiments half the embryos were washed and treated with trypsin according to the IETS protocol while the remaining embryos were neither washed nor treated. All were tested for the presence of BTV using cell culture techniques. The virus was detected after three passages in BHK-21 cells only in one wash bath in the first experiment and two unwashed embryos exposed to BTV-4 at a titre of 1 x 103.5. No embryos or uterine flush fluids obtained from viraemic donors used in the second experiment were positive for BTV after the standard washing procedure had been followed. The washing procedure of the IETS protocol can thus clear sheep embryos infected with BTV either in vitro or in vivo.

scholarly journals Human iPS Cell-Derived Patient Tissues and 3D Cell Culture Part 1: Target Identification and Lead Optimization

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Eglen ◽  
Terry Reisine
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Target Identification ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Lead Optimization ◽  
Ips Cell ◽  
Human Pathology

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs), and new technologies to culture them into functional cell types and tissues, are now aiding drug discovery. Patient-derived HiPSCs can provide disease models that are more clinically relevant and so more predictive than the currently available animal-derived or tumor cell-derived cells. These cells, consequently, exhibit disease phenotypes close to the human pathology, particularly when cultured under conditions that allow them to recapitulate the tissue architecture in three-dimensional (3D) systems. A key feature of HiPSCs is that they can be cultured under conditions that favor formation of multicellular spheroids or organoids. By culturing and differentiating in systems mimicking the human tissue in vivo, the HiPSC microenvironment further reflects patient in vivo physiology, pathophysiology, and ultimately pharmacological responsiveness. We assess the rationale for using HiPSCs in several phases of preclinical drug discovery, specifically in disease modeling, target identification, and lead optimization. We also discuss the growing use of HiPSCs in compound lead optimization, particularly in profiling compounds for their potential metabolic liability and off-target toxicities. Collectively, we contend that both approaches, HiPSCs and 3D cell culture, when used in concert, have exciting potential for the development of novel medicines.

Human Microphysiological Models of Airway and Alveolar Epithelium

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Anuj Lagowala ◽  
Seoyoung Kwon ◽  
Venkataramana K. Sidhaye ◽  
Deok-Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Human Organ ◽  
Organ Specific

Human organ-on-a-chip models are powerful tools for pre-clinical research that can be used to study the mechanisms of disease and evaluate new targets for therapeutic intervention. Lung-on-a-chip models have been one of the most well-characterized designs in this field, and can be altered to evaluate various types of respiratory disease and to assess treatment candidates prior to clinical testing. These systems are capable of overcoming the flaws of conventional 2D cell culture and in vivo animal testing due to their ability to accurately recapitulate the in vivo microenvironment of human tissue with tunable material properties, microfluidic integration, delivery of precise mechanical and biochemical cues, and designs with organ-specific architecture. In this review, we first describe an overview of currently available lung-on-a-chip designs. We then present how recent innovations in human stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and microfabrication can be used to create more predictive human lung-on-a-chip models for studying respiratory disease. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future directions of lung-on-a-chip designs for in vitro disease modeling with particular focus on immune and multi-organ interactions.

A T.E.M. study of mouse mammary epithelial cell secretory differentiation cultured on collagen and Matrigel

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 188-189
Author(s):  
W.N. Bentham ◽  
V. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Secretory Process ◽  
Cell Culture System ◽  
Protein Maturation ◽  
Cell Culture Techniques ◽  
Culture Techniques ◽  
Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cell ◽  
Secretory Differentiation

It has been an interest of our lab to develop a mammary epethelial cell culture system that faithfully duplicates the in vivo condition of the lactating gland. Since the introduction of collagen as a matrix on which cells are cultivated other E.C.M. type matrices have been made available and are used in many cell culture techniques. We have previously demonstrated that cells cultured on collagen and Matrigel do not differentiate as they do in vivo. It seems that these cultures often produce cells that show a disruption in the secretory process. The appearance of large ribosomal studded vesicles, that specifically label with antibody to casein, suggest an interruption of both protein maturation and secretion at the E.R. to golgi transition. In this report we have examined cultures on collagen and Matrigel at relative high and low seeding densities and compared them to cells from the in vivo condition.

Current Approaches to Drug Discovery for Chagas Disease: Methodological Advances

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 509-520
Author(s):  
Cauê B. Scarim ◽  
Chung M. Chin
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Compound Libraries ◽  
Screening Assays ◽  
Cruzi Infection

Background: In recent years, there has been an improvement in the in vitro and in vivo methodology for the screening of anti-chagasic compounds. Millions of compounds can now have their activity evaluated (in large compound libraries) by means of high throughput in vitro screening assays. Objective: Current approaches to drug discovery for Chagas disease. Method: This review article examines the contribution of these methodological advances in medicinal chemistry in the last four years, focusing on Trypanosoma cruzi infection, obtained from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Results: Here, we have shown that the promise is increasing each year for more lead compounds for the development of a new drug against Chagas disease. Conclusion: There is increased optimism among those working with the objective to find new drug candidates for optimal treatments against Chagas disease.

Comparative Evaluation of In Vitro and In Vivo Assays for the Detection of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus as a Contaminant of Live Poultry Vaccines

1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-634
Author(s):  
Emiliana Falcone ◽  
Edoardo Vignolo ◽  
Livia Di Trani ◽  
Simona Puzelli ◽  
Maria Tollis
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Bronchitis Virus ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
In Vivo Test ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis

A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay specific for identifying avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in poultry vaccines, and the serological response to IBV induced by the inoculation of chicks with a Newcastle disease vaccine spiked with the Massachusetts strain of IBV, were compared for their ability to detect IBV as a contaminant of avian vaccines. The sensitivity of the IBV-RT-PCR assay provided results which were at least equivalent to the biological effect produced by the inoculation of chicks, allowing this assay to be considered a valid alternative to animal testing in the quality control of avian immunologicals. This procedure can easily be adapted to detect a number of contaminants for which the in vivo test still represents the only available method of detection.

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