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Hall E, Mendiola K, Lightsey NK, Hanjaya-Putra D. Mimicking blood and lymphatic vasculatures using microfluidic systems. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:031502. [PMID: 38726373 PMCID: PMC11081709 DOI: 10.1063/5.0175154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The role of the circulatory system, containing the blood and lymphatic vasculatures, within the body, has become increasingly focused on by researchers as dysfunction of either of the systems has been linked to serious complications and disease. Currently, in vivo models are unable to provide the sufficient monitoring and level of manipulation needed to characterize the fluidic dynamics of the microcirculation in blood and lymphatic vessels; thus in vitro models have been pursued as an alternative model. Microfluidic devices have the required properties to provide a physiologically relevant circulatory system model for research as well as the experimental tools to conduct more advanced research analyses of microcirculation flow. In this review paper, the physiological behavior of fluid flow and electrical communication within the endothelial cells of the systems are detailed and discussed to highlight their complexities. Cell co-culturing methods and other relevant organ-on-a-chip devices will be evaluated to demonstrate the feasibility and relevance of the in vitro microfluidic model. Microfluidic systems will be determined as a noteworthy model that can display physiologically relevant flow of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, which will enable researchers to investigate the systems' prevalence in diseases and identify potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hall
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | | | - N. Keilany Lightsey
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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Brito M, Sorbier C, Mignet N, Boudy V, Borchard G, Vacher G. Understanding the Impact of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4099. [PMID: 38612907 PMCID: PMC11012607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial ocular pathology that destroys the photoreceptors of the macula. Two forms are distinguished, dry and wet AMD, with different pathophysiological mechanisms. Although treatments were shown to be effective in wet AMD, they remain a heavy burden for patients and caregivers, resulting in a lack of patient compliance. For dry AMD, no real effective treatment is available in Europe. It is, therefore, essential to look for new approaches. Recently, the use of long-chain and very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was identified as an interesting new therapeutic alternative. Indeed, the levels of these fatty acids, core components of photoreceptors, are significantly decreased in AMD patients. To better understand this pathology and to evaluate the efficacy of various molecules, in vitro and in vivo models reproducing the mechanisms of both types of AMD were developed. This article reviews the anatomy and the physiological aging of the retina and summarizes the clinical aspects, pathophysiological mechanisms of AMD and potential treatment strategies. In vitro and in vivo models of AMD are also presented. Finally, this manuscript focuses on the application of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of both types of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlis Brito
- Unither Développement Bordeaux, Avenue Toussaint Catros, 33185 Le Haillan, France
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, F-75006 Paris, France
- Département de Recherche et Développement (DRDP), Agence Générale des Equipements et Produits de Santé (AGEPS), Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 7 Rue du Fer-à-Moulin, 75005 Paris, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Capucine Sorbier
- Unither Développement Bordeaux, Avenue Toussaint Catros, 33185 Le Haillan, France
| | - Nathalie Mignet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Boudy
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, F-75006 Paris, France
- Département de Recherche et Développement (DRDP), Agence Générale des Equipements et Produits de Santé (AGEPS), Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 7 Rue du Fer-à-Moulin, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Gerrit Borchard
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gaëlle Vacher
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
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Ponmozhi J, Dhinakaran S, Kocsis D, Iván K, Erdő F. Models for barrier understanding in health and disease in lab-on-a-chips. Tissue Barriers 2024; 12:2221632. [PMID: 37294075 PMCID: PMC11042069 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2023.2221632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of body homeostasis relies heavily on physiological barriers. Dysfunction of these barriers can lead to various pathological processes, including increased exposure to toxic materials and microorganisms. Various methods exist to investigate barrier function in vivo and in vitro. To investigate barrier function in a highly reproducible manner, ethically, and high throughput, researchers have turned to non-animal techniques and micro-scale technologies. In this comprehensive review, the authors summarize the current applications of organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices in the study of physiological barriers. The review covers the blood-brain barrier, ocular barriers, dermal barrier, respiratory barriers, intestinal, hepatobiliary, and renal/bladder barriers under both healthy and pathological conditions. The article then briefly presents placental/vaginal, and tumour/multi-organ barriers in organ-on-a-chip devices. Finally, the review discusses Computational Fluid Dynamics in microfluidic systems that integrate biological barriers. This article provides a concise yet informative overview of the current state-of-the-art in barrier studies using microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Ponmozhi
- Microfluidics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IPS Academy-Institute of Engineering Science, Indore, India
| | - S. Dhinakaran
- The Centre for Fluid Dynamics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
| | - Dorottya Kocsis
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Iván
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Franciska Erdő
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
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Park S, Laskow TC, Chen J, Guha P, Dawn B, Kim DH. Microphysiological systems for human aging research. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14070. [PMID: 38180277 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in microphysiological systems (MPS), also known as organs-on-a-chip (OoC), enable the recapitulation of more complex organ and tissue functions on a smaller scale in vitro. MPS therefore provide the potential to better understand human diseases and physiology. To date, numerous MPS platforms have been developed for various tissues and organs, including the heart, liver, kidney, blood vessels, muscle, and adipose tissue. However, only a few studies have explored using MPS platforms to unravel the effects of aging on human physiology and the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. Age is one of the risk factors for many diseases, and enormous interest has been devoted to aging research. As such, a human MPS aging model could provide a more predictive tool to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human aging and age-related diseases. These models can also be used to evaluate preclinical drugs for age-related diseases and translate them into clinical settings. Here, we provide a review on the application of MPS in aging research. First, we offer an overview of the molecular, cellular, and physiological changes with age in several tissues or organs. Next, we discuss previous aging models and the current state of MPS for studying human aging and age-related conditions. Lastly, we address the limitations of current MPS and present future directions on the potential of MPS platforms for human aging research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungman Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Thomas C Laskow
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jingchun Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Prasun Guha
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Buddhadeb Dawn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Microphysiological Systems, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Kim MK, Park J, Tak S, Paek K, Bang G, Woo SM, Ravichandran NK, Hong WG, Kang HW, Kim H, Bae JY, Kim JA. A long-term storable gel-laden chip composite built in a multi-well plate enabling in situcell encapsulation for high-throughput liver model. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025020. [PMID: 38390723 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad28ef] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels are widely used as scaffold materials for constructingin vitrothree-dimensional microphysiological systems. However, their high sensitivity to various external cues hinders the development of hydrogel-laden, microscale, and high-throughput chips. Here, we have developed a long-term storable gel-laden chip composite built in a multi-well plate, which enablesin situcell encapsulation and facilitates high-throughput analysis. Through optimized chemical crosslinking and freeze-drying method (C/FD), we have achieved a high-quality of gel-laden chip composite with excellent transparency, uniform porosity, and appropriate swelling and mechanical characteristics. Besides collagen, decellularized extracellular matrix with tissue-specific biochemical compound has been applied as chip composite. As a ready-to-use platform,in situcell encapsulation within the gel has been achieved through capillary force generated during gel reswelling. The liver-mimetic chip composite, comprising HepG2 cells or primary hepatocytes, has demonstrated favorable hepatic functionality and high sensitivity in drug testing. The developed fabrication process with improved stability of gels and storability allows chip composites to be stored at a wide range of temperatures for up to 28 d without any deformation, demonstrating off-the-shelf products. Consequently, this provides an exceptionally simple and long-term storable platform that can be utilized for an efficient tissue-specific modeling and various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyeong Kim
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Jubin Park
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
- Program in Biomicro System Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Tak
- Center for Bio-Imaging and Translational Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyurim Paek
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
- Program in Biomicro System Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Geul Bang
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Mi Woo
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Naresh Kumar Ravichandran
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Gi Hong
- Research Center for Materials Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Wook Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulju-gun 44919, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang Kim
- Institute of New Horizon Regenerative Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang 10475, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yong Bae
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ah Kim
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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Dujardin C, Habeler W, Monville C, Letourneur D, Simon-Yarza T. Advances in the engineering of the outer blood-retina barrier: From in-vitro modelling to cellular therapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 31:151-177. [PMID: 37637086 PMCID: PMC10448242 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The outer blood-retina barrier (oBRB), crucial for the survival and the proper functioning of the overlying retinal layers, is disrupted in numerous diseases affecting the retina, leading to the loss of the photoreceptors and ultimately of vision. To study the oBRB and/or its degeneration, many in vitro oBRB models have been developed, notably to investigate potential therapeutic strategies against retinal diseases. Indeed, to this day, most of these pathologies are untreatable, especially once the first signs of degeneration are observed. To cure those patients, a current strategy is to cultivate in vitro a mature oBRB epithelium on a custom membrane that is further implanted to replace the damaged native tissue. After a description of the oBRB and the related diseases, this review presents an overview of the oBRB models, from the simplest to the most complex. Then, we propose a discussion over the used cell types, for their relevance to study or treat the oBRB. Models designed for in vitro applications are then examined, by paying particular attention to the design evolution in the last years, the development of pathological models and the benefits of co-culture models, including both the retinal pigment epithelium and the choroid. Lastly, this review focuses on the models developed for in vivo implantation, with special emphasis on the choice of the material, its processing and its characterization, before discussing the reported pre-clinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Dujardin
- Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science (LVTS) INSERM-U1148, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Walter Habeler
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- U861, I-Stem, AFM, Université Paris-Saclay, Université D’Evry, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- CECS, Centre D’étude des Cellules Souches, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Christelle Monville
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- U861, I-Stem, AFM, Université Paris-Saclay, Université D’Evry, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Didier Letourneur
- Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science (LVTS) INSERM-U1148, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Teresa Simon-Yarza
- Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science (LVTS) INSERM-U1148, 75018 Paris, France
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R N, Aggarwal A, Sravani AB, Mallya P, Lewis S. Organ-On-A-Chip: An Emerging Research Platform. Organogenesis 2023; 19:2278236. [PMID: 37965897 PMCID: PMC10653779 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2023.2278236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In drug development, conventional preclinical and clinical testing stages rely on cell cultures and animal experiments, but these methods may fall short of fully representing human biology. To overcome this limitation, the emergence of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology has sparked interest as a transformative approach in drug testing research. By closely replicating human organ responses to external signals, OOC devices hold immense potential in revolutionizing drug efficacy and safety predictions. This review focuses on the advancements, applications, and prospects of OOC devices in drug testing. Based on the latest advances in the field of OOC systems and their clinical applications, this review reflects the effectiveness of OOC devices in replacing human volunteers in certain clinical studies. This review underscores the critical role of OOC technology in transforming drug testing methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithin R
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Ayushi Aggarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Anne Boyina Sravani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Pooja Mallya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shaila Lewis
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
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She W, Shen C, Ying Y, Meng Q. Fabrication of sac-like hydrogel membranes for replicating curved tissue barriers on chips. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 24:85-96. [PMID: 38018218 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00807j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Current organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems cannot mimic in vivo tissue barriers that feature curved geometries and rhythmic movement. This is due to the lack of a relevant membrane that can reproduce the natural biochemical and physical properties of a basement membrane, especially the characteristic sac-like structure possessed by multiple tissue barriers. To address this challenge, a sac-like hydrogel membrane is fabricated here using a one-step simple methodology inspired by soap bubble formation. Di-acrylated Pluronic® F127 (F127-DA) is a hydrogel that exhibits excellent mechanical properties, stably withstanding rhythmic mechanical stretching and fluid flow for at least 24 h. Using this hydrogel to make a membrane, a complex lung-on-a-chip device is successfully constructed, effectively replicating the alveolar-capillary barrier and demonstrating cellular function under physiological respiratory conditions. This membrane offers a crucial platform for replicating sac-like tissue barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi She
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering (Education Ministry), College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
| | - Chong Shen
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering (Education Ministry), College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
| | - Yinghua Ying
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Qin Meng
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering (Education Ministry), College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
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Liang Y, Sun X, Duan C, Tang S, Chen J. Application of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids in inherited retinal diseases. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:340. [PMID: 38012786 PMCID: PMC10683306 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03564-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) can induce severe sight-threatening retinal degeneration and impose a considerable economic burden on patients and society, making efforts to cure blindness imperative. Transgenic animals mimicking human genetic diseases have long been used as a primary research tool to decipher the underlying pathogenesis, but there are still some obvious limitations. As an alternative strategy, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), particularly three-dimensional (3D) organoid technology, are considered a promising platform for modeling different forms of IRDs, including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, X-linked recessive retinoschisis, Batten disease, achromatopsia, and best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Here, this paper focuses on the status of patient-derived iPSCs and organoids in IRDs in recent years concerning disease modeling and therapeutic exploration, along with potential challenges for translating laboratory research to clinical application. Finally, the importance of human iPSCs and organoids in combination with emerging technologies such as multi-omics integration analysis, 3D bioprinting, or microfluidic chip platform are highlighted. Patient-derived retinal organoids may be a preferred choice for more accurately uncovering the mechanisms of human retinal diseases and will contribute to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Liang
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xihao Sun
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Chunwen Duan
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China
| | - Shibo Tang
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China.
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Liu J, Wei Q, Man K, Liang C, Zhou Y, Liu X, Xin HB, Yang Y. Nanofibrous Membrane Promotes and Sustains Vascular Endothelial Barrier Function. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4988-4997. [PMID: 37862245 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium serves as a physical barrier between the circulating blood and surrounding tissue and acts as a critical regulator of various physiological processes. In vitro models involving vasculature rely on the maintenance of the endothelial barrier function. In this study, we fabricated 2D aligned nanofibrous membranes with distinct pore sizes via electrospinning and investigated the effect of membrane pore size on endothelial barrier function. Our results demonstrated that the use of the nanofibrous membranes promoted the formation of a tight vascular endothelium and sustained barrier function for over one month in comparison with conventional transwell setups. Moreover, the examination of the nucleocytoplasmic localization of yes-associated protein (YAP) in the endothelial cells indicated that nanofibrous membrane promoted YAP expression and its nuclear localization, critical to endothelial barrier function. Furthermore, the comparison of permeability between random and aligned nanofibrous membranes underscored the importance of pore size in preserving barrier function. Our findings offer a valuable strategy for creating more physiologically relevant in vitro vascular models and contribute to the understanding of endothelial barrier formation and maintenance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P.R. China
| | - Kun Man
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Cindy Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Yuting Zhou
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266073, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Hong-Bo Xin
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
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Spivey EC, Yin J, Chaum E, Wikswo JP. A Microfluidic Platform for the Time-Resolved Interrogation of Polarized Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:28. [PMID: 38010283 PMCID: PMC10683772 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.11.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cells grown in milliliter volume devices have difficulty measuring low-abundance secreted factors due to low resulting concentrations. Using microfluidic devices increases concentration; however, the constrained geometry makes phenotypic characterization with transepithelial electrical resistance more difficult and less reliable. Our device resolves this problem. Methods We designed and built a novel microfluidic "Puck" assembly using laser-cut pieces from preformed sheets of silicone and commercial off-the-shelf parts. Transwell membranes containing polarized retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were reversibly sealed within the Puck and used to study polarized protein secretion. Protein secretion from the apical and basal surfaces in response to hypoxic conditions was quantified using an immunoassay method. Computational fluid modeling was performed on the chamber design. Results Under hypoxic culture conditions (7% O2), basal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by polarized RPE cells increased significantly from 1.40 to 1.68 ng/mL over the first 2 hours (P < 0.0013) and remained stably elevated through 4 hours. Conversely, VEGF secretion from the apical side remained constant under the same hypoxic conditions. Conclusions The Puck can be used to measure spatiotemporal protein secretion by polarized cells into apical and basal microniches in response to environmental conditions. Computational model results support the absence of biologically significant shear stress to the cells caused by the device. Translational Relevance The Puck can be used validate the mature phenotypic health of autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived RPE cells prior to transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C. Spivey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jinggang Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Edward Chaum
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John P. Wikswo
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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12
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Cuartas-Vélez C, Middelkamp HHT, van der Meer AD, van den Berg A, Bosschaart N. Tracking the dynamics of thrombus formation in a blood vessel-on-chip with visible-light optical coherence tomography. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:5642-5655. [PMID: 38021142 PMCID: PMC10659801 DOI: 10.1364/boe.500434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Thrombus formation is a physiological response to damage in a blood vessel that relies on a complex interplay of platelets, coagulation factors, immune cells, and the vessel wall. The dynamics of thrombus formation are essential for a deeper understanding of many disease processes, like bleeding, wound healing, and thrombosis. However, monitoring thrombus formation is challenging due to the limited imaging options available to analyze flowing blood. In this work, we use a visible-light optical coherence tomography (vis-OCT) system to monitor the dynamic process of the formation of thrombi in a microfluidic blood vessel-on-chip (VoC) device. Inside the VoC, thrombi form in a channel lined with a monolayer of endothelial cells and perfused by human whole blood. We show that the correlation of the vis-OCT signal can be utilized as a marker for thrombus formation. By thresholding the correlation during thrombus formation, we track and quantify the growth of the thrombi over time. We validate our results with fluorescence microscopic imaging of fibrin and platelet markers at the end of the blood perfusion assay. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the correlation of the vis-OCT signal can be used to visualize both the spatial and temporal behavior of the thrombus formation in flowing human whole blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cuartas-Vélez
- Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen H. T. Middelkamp
- BIOS/Lab on a Chip, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Andries D. van der Meer
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS/Lab on a Chip, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke Bosschaart
- Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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13
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Nam U, Lee S, Jeon JS. Generation of a 3D Outer Blood-Retinal Barrier with Advanced Choriocapillaris and Its Application in Diabetic Retinopathy in a Microphysiological System. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:4929-4939. [PMID: 37494673 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB) provides an optimal environment for the function of the photoreceptor by regulating the exchange of molecules between subretinal space and the choriocapillaris, and its dysfunction could impair the photoreceptor's function and vision. The existing in vitro models have limitations in reproducing the barrier function or physiological characteristics of oBRB and choriocapillaris. Here, we engineered a microphysiological system-based oBRB-choriocapillaris model that simultaneously incorporates the desired physiological characteristics and is simple to fabricate. First, we generated microvascular networks to mimic choriocapillaris and investigated the role of fibroblasts in vasculogenesis. By adding retinal pigment epithelial cells to one side of blood vessels formed with endothelial cells and fibroblasts and optimizing their culture medium conditions, we established an oBRB-choriocapillaris model. To verify the physiological similarity of our oBRB-choriocapillaris model, we identified the polarization and expression of the tight junction of the retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, and the fenestral diaphragm of choriocapillaris. Finally, we tried to recapitulate the diabetes mellitus environment in our model with hyperglycemia and diabetes-related cytokines. This induced a decrease in tight junction integrity, loss of barrier function, and shrinkage of blood vessels, similar to the in vivo pathological changes observed in the oBRB and choriocapillaris. The oBRB-choriocapillaris model developed using a microphysiological system is expected to offer a valuable in vitro platform for retinal and choroidal vascular diseases in preclinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ungsig Nam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhun Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jessie S Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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14
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Zhou H, Arechavala-Gomeza V, Garanto A. Experimental Model Systems Used in the Preclinical Development of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. Nucleic Acid Ther 2023; 33:238-247. [PMID: 37145922 PMCID: PMC10457615 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical evaluation of nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) in relevant experimental model systems is essential for NAT drug development. As part of COST Action "DARTER" (Delivery of Antisense RNA ThERapeutics), a network of researchers in the field of RNA therapeutics, we have conducted a survey on the experimental model systems routinely used by our members in preclinical NAT development. The questionnaire focused on both cellular and animal models. Our survey results suggest that skin fibroblast cultures derived from patients is the most commonly used cellular model, while induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models are also highly reported, highlighting the increasing potential of this technology. Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide is the most frequently investigated RNA molecule, followed by small interfering RNA. Animal models are less prevalent but also widely used among groups in the network, with transgenic mouse models ranking the top. Concerning the research fields represented in our survey, the mostly studied disease area is neuromuscular disorders, followed by neurometabolic diseases and cancers. Brain, skeletal muscle, heart, and liver are the top four tissues of interest reported. We expect that this snapshot of the current preclinical models will facilitate decision making and the share of resources between academics and industry worldwide to facilitate the development of NATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhou
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Center, London, United Kingdom
| | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Nucleic Acid Therapeutics for Rare Disorders (NAT-RD), Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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15
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Saorin G, Caligiuri I, Rizzolio F. Microfluidic organoids-on-a-chip: The future of human models. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 144:41-54. [PMID: 36241560 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidics opened the possibility to model the physiological environment by controlling fluids flows, and therefore nutrients supply. It allows to integrate external stimuli such as electricals or mechanicals and in situ monitoring important parameters such as pH, oxygen and metabolite concentrations. Organoids are self-organized 3D organ-like clusters, which allow to closely model original organ functionalities. Applying microfluidics to organoids allows to generate powerful human models for studying organ development, diseases, and drug testing. In this review, after a brief introduction on microfluidics, organoids and organoids-on-a-chip are described by organs (brain, heart, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas) highlighting the microfluidic approaches since this point of view was overlooked in previously published reviews. Indeed, the review aims to discuss from a different point of view, primary microfluidics, the available literature on organoids-on-a-chip, standing out from the published literature by focusing on each specific organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Saorin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30123 Venezia, Italy
| | - Isabella Caligiuri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30123 Venezia, Italy; Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy.
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16
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Li Q, Wong HL, Ip YL, Chu WY, Li MS, Saha C, Shih KC, Chan YK. Current microfluidic platforms for reverse engineering of cornea. Mater Today Bio 2023; 20:100634. [PMID: 37139464 PMCID: PMC10149412 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, corneal blindness constitutes 5.1% of global blindness population. Surgical outcomes have been improved significantly in the treatment of corneal blindness. However, corneal transplantation is limited by global shortage of donor tissue, prompting researchers to explore alternative therapies such as novel ocular pharmaceutics to delay corneal disease progression. Animal models are commonly adopted for investigating pharmacokinetics of ocular drugs. However, this approach is limited by physiological differences in the eye between animals and human, ethical issues and poor bench-to-bedside translatability. Cornea-on-a-chip (CoC) microfluidic platforms have gained great attention as one of the advanced in vitro strategies for constructing physiologically representative corneal models. With significant improvements in tissue engineering technology, CoC integrates corneal cells with microfluidics to recapitulate human corneal microenvironment for the study of corneal pathophysiological changes and evaluation of ocular drugs. Such model, in complement to animal studies, can potentially accelerate translational research, in particular the pre-clinical screening of ophthalmic medication, driving clinical treatment advancement for corneal diseases. This review provides an overview of engineered CoC platforms with respect to their merits, applications, and technical challenges. Emerging directions in CoC technology are also proposed for further investigations, to accentuate preclinical obstacles in corneal research.
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17
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Dufva M. A quantitative meta-analysis comparing cell models in perfused organ on a chip with static cell cultures. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8233. [PMID: 37217582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As many consider organ on a chip for better in vitro models, it is timely to extract quantitative data from the literature to compare responses of cells under flow in chips to corresponding static incubations. Of 2828 screened articles, 464 articles described flow for cell culture and 146 contained correct controls and quantified data. Analysis of 1718 ratios between biomarkers measured in cells under flow and static cultures showed that the in all cell types, many biomarkers were unregulated by flow and only some specific biomarkers responded strongly to flow. Biomarkers in cells from the blood vessels walls, the intestine, tumours, pancreatic island, and the liver reacted most strongly to flow. Only 26 biomarkers were analysed in at least two different articles for a given cell type. Of these, the CYP3A4 activity in CaCo2 cells and PXR mRNA levels in hepatocytes were induced more than two-fold by flow. Furthermore, the reproducibility between articles was low as 52 of 95 articles did not show the same response to flow for a given biomarker. Flow showed overall very little improvements in 2D cultures but a slight improvement in 3D cultures suggesting that high density cell culture may benefit from flow. In conclusion, the gains of perfusion are relatively modest, larger gains are linked to specific biomarkers in certain cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dufva
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
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18
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de Jong S, Tang J, Clark SJ. Age-related macular degeneration: A disease of extracellular complement amplification. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:279-297. [PMID: 36223117 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision impairment in the Western World, and with the aging world population, its incidence is increasing. As of today, for the majority of patients, no treatment exists. Multiple genetic and biochemical studies have shown a strong association with components in the complement system and AMD, and evidence suggests a major role of remodeling of the extracellular matrix underlying the outer blood/retinal barrier. As part of the innate immune system, the complement cascade acts as a first-line defense against pathogens, and upon activation, its amplification loop ensures a strong, rapid, and sustained response. Excessive activation, however, can lead to host tissue damage and cause complement-associated diseases like AMD. AMD patients present with aberrant activation of the alternative pathway, especially in ocular tissues but also on a systemic level. Here, we review the latest findings of complement activation in AMD, and we will discuss in vivo observations made in human tissue, cellular models, the potential synergy of different AMD-associated pathways, and conclude on current clinical trials and the future outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah de Jong
- Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon J Clark
- Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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19
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Huang C, Jiang Y, Li Y, Zhang H. Droplet Detection and Sorting System in Microfluidics: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:mi14010103. [PMID: 36677164 PMCID: PMC9867185 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Since being invented, droplet microfluidic technologies have been proven to be perfect tools for high-throughput chemical and biological functional screening applications, and they have been heavily studied and improved through the past two decades. Each droplet can be used as one single bioreactor to compartmentalize a big material or biological population, so millions of droplets can be individually screened based on demand, while the sorting function could extract the droplets of interest to a separate pool from the main droplet library. In this paper, we reviewed droplet detection and active sorting methods that are currently still being widely used for high-through screening applications in microfluidic systems, including the latest updates regarding each technology. We analyze and summarize the merits and drawbacks of each presented technology and conclude, with our perspectives, on future direction of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Huang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA
| | - Yuqian Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yuwen Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA
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20
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de Graaf MNS, Vivas A, Kasi DG, van den Hil FE, van den Berg A, van der Meer AD, Mummery CL, Orlova VV. Multiplexed fluidic circuit board for controlled perfusion of 3D blood vessels-on-a-chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 23:168-181. [PMID: 36484766 PMCID: PMC9764810 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00686c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) blood vessels-on-a-chip (VoC) models integrate the biological complexity of vessel walls with dynamic microenvironmental cues, such as wall shear stress (WSS) and circumferential strain (CS). However, these parameters are difficult to control and are often poorly reproducible due to the high intrinsic diameter variation of individual 3D-VoCs. As a result, the throughput of current 3D systems is one-channel-at-a-time. Here, we developed a fluidic circuit board (FCB) for simultaneous perfusion of up to twelve 3D-VoCs using a single set of control parameters. By designing the internal hydraulic resistances in the FCB appropriately, it was possible to provide a pre-set WSS to all connected 3D-VoCs, despite significant variation in lumen diameters. Using this FCB, we found that variation of CS or WSS induce morphological changes to human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived endothelial cells (ECs) and conclude that control of these parameters using a FCB is necessary to study 3D-VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mees N S de Graaf
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Aisen Vivas
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Technical Medical Centre, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Dhanesh G Kasi
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Francijna E van den Hil
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Technical Medical Centre, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | | | - Christine L Mummery
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria V Orlova
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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21
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Lee S, Kim S, Jeon JS. Microfluidic outer blood-retinal barrier model for inducing wet age-related macular degeneration by hypoxic stress. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4359-4368. [PMID: 36254466 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00672c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a severe ophthalmic disease that develops in the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB), involving two types of cells, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choriocapillaris endothelium (CCE). Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of AMD is unclear, and the risk of the only effective therapy (Anti-VEGF injection) has been consistently argued. Also, since oBRB is hard to observe in vivo, an in vitro model for the pathological study is necessary. Here, we propose an advanced oBRB model, enhanced in two major ways: fully vascularized CCE and the in vivo analogous distance between RPE and CCE. Our model consists of an RPE (ARPE-19) monolayer with adjacent CCE (HUVEC) embedded fibrin gel in the microfluidic chip and required four days to construct an oBRB. Notably, the intercellular distance was tuned to the in vivo scale (<100 μm) without any extraneous scaffold in between. Thus, the two cell layers can interact freely through the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vivo. This is significant as wet AMD is mainly developed through broken intercellular interaction. Thanks to this in vivo similarity, the model incubated under hypoxic conditions, similar to an oxygen-induced retinopathy animal model, showed upregulated vascularization comparable to the AMD condition. We envisage that our model can be used to assist the investigation of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokhun Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Seunggyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Jessie S Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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22
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Soragni C, Rabussier G, Lanz HL, Bircsak KM, de Windt LJ, Trietsch SJ, Murdoch CE, Ng CP. A versatile multiplexed assay to quantify intracellular ROS and cell viability in 3D on-a-chip models. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102488. [PMID: 36201911 PMCID: PMC9535429 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have different properties and biological functions. They contribute to cell signaling and, in excessive amounts, to oxidative stress (OS). Although ROS is pivotal in a wide number of physiological systems and pathophysiological processes, direct quantification in vivo is quite challenging and mainly limited to in vitro studies. Even though advanced in vitro cell culture techniques, like on-a-chip culture, have overcome the lack of crucial in vivo-like physiological aspects in 2D culture, the majority of in vitro ROS quantification studies are generally performed in 2D. Here we report the development, application, and validation of a multiplexed assay to quantify ROS and cell viability in organ-on-a-chip models. The assay utilizes three dyes to stain live cells for ROS, dead cells, and DNA. Confocal images were analyzed to quantify ROS probes and determine the number of nuclei and dead cells. We found that, in contrast to what has been reported with 2D cell culture, on-a-chip models are more prone to scavenge ROS rather than accumulate them. The assay is sensitive enough to distinguish between different phenotypes of endothelial cells (ECs) based on the level of OS to detect higher level in tumor than normal cells. Our results indicate that the use of physiologically relevant models and this assay could help unravelling the mechanisms behind OS and ROS accumulation. A further step could be taken in data analysis by implementing AI in the pipeline to also analyze images for morphological changes to have an even broader view of OS mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Soragni
- MIMETAS BV, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Gwenaëlle Rabussier
- MIMETAS BV, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Leon J de Windt
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Colin E Murdoch
- Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
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23
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Simitian G, Virumbrales-Muñoz M, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Beebe DJ, Kosoff D. Microfluidics in vascular biology research: a critical review for engineers, biologists, and clinicians. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3618-3636. [PMID: 36047330 PMCID: PMC9530010 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00352j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, has received much research attention due to its implications for physiological processes and diseases. Most studies using traditional in vitro and in vivo platforms find challenges in recapitulating key cellular and mechanical cues of the neovascularization processes. Microfluidic in vitro models have been presented as an alternative to these limitations due to their capacity to leverage microscale physics to control cell organization and integrate biochemical and mechanical cues, such as shear stress, cell-cell interactions, or nutrient gradients, making them an ideal option for recapitulating organ physiology. Much has been written about the use of microfluidics in vascular biology models from an engineering perspective. However, a review introducing the different models, components and progress for new potential adopters of these technologies was absent in the literature. Therefore, this paper aims to approach the use of microfluidic technologies in vascular biology from a perspective of biological hallmarks to be studied and written for a wide audience ranging from clinicians to engineers. Here we review applications of microfluidics in vascular biology research, starting with design considerations and fabrication techniques. After that, we review the state of the art in recapitulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, according to the hallmarks recapitulated and complexity of the models. Finally, we discuss emerging research areas in neovascularization, such as drug discovery, and potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Simitian
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - María Virumbrales-Muñoz
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Cristina Sánchez-de-Diego
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David Kosoff
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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24
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Bharti K, den Hollander AI, Lakkaraju A, Sinha D, Williams DS, Finnemann SC, Bowes-Rickman C, Malek G, D'Amore PA. Cell culture models to study retinal pigment epithelium-related pathogenesis in age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2022; 222:109170. [PMID: 35835183 PMCID: PMC9444976 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects the macula - the central part of the retina. It is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly. AMD onset is marked by the presence of lipid- and protein-rich extracellular deposits beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer of polarized, pigmented epithelial cells located between the photoreceptors and the choroidal blood supply. Progression of AMD to the late nonexudative "dry" stage of AMD, also called geographic atrophy, is linked to progressive loss of areas of the RPE, photoreceptors, and underlying choriocapillaris leading to a severe decline in patients' vision. Differential susceptibility of macular RPE in AMD and the lack of an anatomical macula in most lab animal models has promoted the use of in vitro models of the RPE. In addition, the need for high throughput platforms to test potential therapies has driven the creation and characterization of in vitro model systems that recapitulate morphologic and functional abnormalities associated with human AMD. These models range from spontaneously formed cell line ARPE19, immortalized cell lines such as hTERT-RPE1, RPE-J, and D407, to primary human (fetal or adult) or animal (mouse and pig) RPE cells, and embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived RPE. Hallmark RPE phenotypes, such as cobblestone morphology, pigmentation, and polarization, vary significantly betweendifferent models and culture conditions used in different labs, which would directly impact their usability for investigating different aspects of AMD biology. Here the AMD Disease Models task group of the Ryan Initiative for Macular Research (RIMR) provides a summary of several currently used in vitro RPE models, historical aspects of their development, RPE phenotypes that are attainable in these models, their ability to model different aspects of AMD pathophysiology, and pros/cons for their use in the RPE and AMD fields. In addition, due to the burgeoning use of iPSC derived RPE cells, the critical need for developing standards for differentiating and rigorously characterizing RPE cell appearance, morphology, and function are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapil Bharti
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; AbbVie, Genomics Research Center, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Aparna Lakkaraju
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Debasish Sinha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cell Biology and Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - David S Williams
- Stein Eye Institute, Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Silvia C Finnemann
- Center of Cancer, Genetic Diseases, and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Catherine Bowes-Rickman
- Duke Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Goldis Malek
- Duke Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Mass Eye and Ear, Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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25
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Nahak BK, Mishra A, Preetam S, Tiwari A. Advances in Organ-on-a-Chip Materials and Devices. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:3576-3607. [PMID: 35839513 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The organ-on-a-chip (OoC) paves a way for biomedical applications ranging from preclinical to clinical translational precision. The current trends in the in vitro modeling is to reduce the complexity of human organ anatomy to the fundamental cellular microanatomy as an alternative of recreating the entire cell milieu that allows systematic analysis of medicinal absorption of compounds, metabolism, and mechanistic investigation. The OoC devices accurately represent human physiology in vitro; however, it is vital to choose the correct chip materials. The potential chip materials include inorganic, elastomeric, thermoplastic, natural, and hybrid materials. Despite the fact that polydimethylsiloxane is the most commonly utilized polymer for OoC and microphysiological systems, substitute materials have been continuously developed for its advanced applications. The evaluation of human physiological status can help to demonstrate using noninvasive OoC materials in real-time procedures. Therefore, this Review examines the materials used for fabricating OoC devices, the application-oriented pros and cons, possessions for device fabrication and biocompatibility, as well as their potential for downstream biochemical surface alteration and commercialization. The convergence of emerging approaches, such as advanced materials, artificial intelligence, machine learning, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, and genomics, have the potential to perform OoC technology at next generation. Thus, OoC technologies provide easy and precise methodologies in cost-effective clinical monitoring and treatment using standardized protocols, at even personalized levels. Because of the inherent utilization of the integrated materials, employing the OoC with biomedical approaches will be a promising methodology in the healthcare industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishal Kumar Nahak
- Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Gammalkilsvägen 18, Ulrika 59053, Sweden
| | - Anshuman Mishra
- Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Gammalkilsvägen 18, Ulrika 59053, Sweden
| | - Subham Preetam
- Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Gammalkilsvägen 18, Ulrika 59053, Sweden
| | - Ashutosh Tiwari
- Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Gammalkilsvägen 18, Ulrika 59053, Sweden
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26
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Molins B, Mesquida M, Adan A. Bioengineering approaches for modelling retinal pathologies of the outer blood-retinal barrier. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101097. [PMID: 35840488 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of the junctional complex of the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB), which is integrated by the close interaction of the retinal pigment epithelium, the Bruch's membrane, and the choriocapillaris, contribute to the loss of neuronal signalling and subsequent vision impairment in several retinal inflammatory disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Reductionist approaches into the mechanisms that underlie such diseases have been hindered by the absence of adequate in vitro models using human cells to provide the 3D dynamic architecture that enables expression of the in vivo phenotype of the oBRB. Conventional in vitro cell models are based on 2D monolayer cellular cultures, unable to properly recapitulate the complexity of living systems. The main drawbacks of conventional oBRB models also emerge from the cell sourcing, the lack of an appropriate Bruch's membrane analogue, and the lack of choroidal microvasculature with flow. In the last years, the advent of organ-on-a-chip, bioengineering, and stem cell technologies is providing more advanced 3D models with flow, multicellularity, and external control over microenvironmental properties. By incorporating additional biological complexity, organ-on-a-chip devices can mirror physiologically relevant properties of the native tissue while offering additional set ups to model and study disease. In this review we first examine the current understanding of oBRB biology as a functional unit, highlighting the coordinated contribution of the different components to barrier function in health and disease. Then we describe recent advances in the use of pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal cells, Bruch's membrane analogues, and co-culture techniques to recapitulate the oBRB. We finally discuss current advances and challenges of oBRB-on-a-chip technologies for disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Molins
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marina Mesquida
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alfredo Adan
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Clínic de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Miny L, Maisonneuve BGC, Quadrio I, Honegger T. Modeling Neurodegenerative Diseases Using In Vitro Compartmentalized Microfluidic Devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:919646. [PMID: 35813998 PMCID: PMC9263267 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.919646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is a complex organ composed of many different types of cells interconnected to create an organized system able to efficiently process information. Dysregulation of this delicately balanced system can lead to the development of neurological disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). To investigate the functionality of human brain physiology and pathophysiology, the scientific community has been generated various research models, from genetically modified animals to two- and three-dimensional cell culture for several decades. These models have, however, certain limitations that impede the precise study of pathophysiological features of neurodegeneration, thus hindering therapeutical research and drug development. Compartmentalized microfluidic devices provide in vitro minimalistic environments to accurately reproduce neural circuits allowing the characterization of the human central nervous system. Brain-on-chip (BoC) is allowing our capability to improve neurodegeneration models on the molecular and cellular mechanism aspects behind the progression of these troubles. This review aims to summarize and discuss the latest advancements of microfluidic models for the investigations of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Miny
- NETRI, Lyon, France
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
| | | | - Isabelle Quadrio
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon University Hospital, Bron, France
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28
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Mut SR, Mishra S, Vazquez M. A Microfluidic Eye Facsimile System to Examine the Migration of Stem-like Cells. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13030406. [PMID: 35334698 PMCID: PMC8954941 DOI: 10.3390/mi13030406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Millions of adults are affected by progressive vision loss worldwide. The rising incidence of retinal diseases can be attributed to damage or degeneration of neurons that convert light into electrical signals for vision. Contemporary cell replacement therapies have transplanted stem and progenitor-like cells (SCs) into adult retinal tissue to replace damaged neurons and restore the visual neural network. However, the inability of SCs to migrate to targeted areas remains a fundamental challenge. Current bioengineering projects aim to integrate microfluidic technologies with organotypic cultures to examine SC behaviors within biomimetic environments. The application of neural phantoms, or eye facsimiles, in such systems will greatly aid the study of SC migratory behaviors in 3D. This project developed a bioengineering system, called the μ-Eye, to stimulate and examine the migration of retinal SCs within eye facsimiles using external chemical and electrical stimuli. Results illustrate that the imposed fields stimulated large, directional SC migration into eye facsimiles, and that electro-chemotactic stimuli produced significantly larger increases in cell migration than the individual stimuli combined. These findings highlight the significance of microfluidic systems in the development of approaches that apply external fields for neural repair and promote migration-targeted strategies for retinal cell replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Ryan Mut
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 599 Taylor Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
| | - Shawn Mishra
- Regeneron, 777 Old Saw Mill River Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA;
| | - Maribel Vazquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 599 Taylor Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
- Correspondence:
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29
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Afanasyeva TAV, Corral-Serrano JC, Garanto A, Roepman R, Cheetham ME, Collin RWJ. A look into retinal organoids: methods, analytical techniques, and applications. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6505-6532. [PMID: 34420069 PMCID: PMC8558279 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03917-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) cause progressive loss of light-sensitive photoreceptors in the eye and can lead to blindness. Gene-based therapies for IRDs have shown remarkable progress in the past decade, but the vast majority of forms remain untreatable. In the era of personalised medicine, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) emerge as a valuable system for cell replacement and to model IRD because they retain the specific patient genome and can differentiate into any adult cell type. Three-dimensional (3D) iPSCs-derived retina-like tissue called retinal organoid contains all major retina-specific cell types: amacrine, bipolar, horizontal, retinal ganglion cells, Müller glia, as well as rod and cone photoreceptors. Here, we describe the main applications of retinal organoids and provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-art analysis methods that apply to this model system. Finally, we will discuss the outlook for improvements that would bring the cellular model a step closer to become an established system in research and treatment development of IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess A V Afanasyeva
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Roepman
- Department of Human Genetics and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael E Cheetham
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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30
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Matthiesen I, Voulgaris D, Nikolakopoulou P, Winkler TE, Herland A. Continuous Monitoring Reveals Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Amide on an Isogenic Microphysiological Model of the Neurovascular Unit. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101785. [PMID: 34174140 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems mimic the in vivo cellular ensemble and microenvironment with the goal of providing more human-like models for biopharmaceutical research. In this study, the first such model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB-on-chip) featuring both isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cells and continuous barrier integrity monitoring with <2 min temporal resolution is reported. Its capabilities are showcased in the first microphysiological study of nitrosative stress and antioxidant prophylaxis. Relying on off-stoichiometry thiol-ene-epoxy (OSTE+) for fabrication greatly facilitates assembly and sensor integration compared to the prevalent polydimethylsiloxane devices. The integrated cell-substrate endothelial resistance monitoring allows for capturing the formation and breakdown of the BBB model, which consists of cocultured hiPSC-derived endothelial-like and astrocyte-like cells. Clear cellular disruption is observed when exposing the BBB-on-chip to the nitrosative stressor linsidomine, and the barrier permeability and barrier-protective effects of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine amide are reported. Using metabolomic network analysis reveals further drug-induced changes consistent with prior literature regarding, e.g., cysteine and glutathione involvement. A model like this opens new possibilities for drug screening studies and personalized medicine, relying solely on isogenic human-derived cells and providing high-resolution temporal readouts that can help in pharmacodynamic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Matthiesen
- Division of Micro- and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas Väg 10 pl 5, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro- and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas Väg 10 pl 5, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden
- AIMES, Center for Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 9/B8, Solna, 171 65, Sweden
| | - Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 9/B8, Solna, 171 65, Sweden
| | - Thomas E Winkler
- Division of Micro- and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas Väg 10 pl 5, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden
| | - Anna Herland
- Division of Micro- and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas Väg 10 pl 5, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden
- AIMES, Center for Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 9/B8, Solna, 171 65, Sweden
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