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Bersini S, Arrigoni C, Talò G, Candrian C, Moretti M. Complex or not too complex? One size does not fit all in next generation microphysiological systems. iScience 2024; 27:109199. [PMID: 38433912 PMCID: PMC10904982 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109199] [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] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the attempt to overcome the increasingly recognized shortcomings of existing in vitro and in vivo models, researchers have started to implement alternative models, including microphysiological systems. First examples were represented by 2.5D systems, such as microfluidic channels covered by cell monolayers as blood vessel replicates. In recent years, increasingly complex microphysiological systems have been developed, up to multi-organ on chip systems, connecting different 3D tissues in the same device. However, such an increase in model complexity raises several questions about their exploitation and implementation into industrial and clinical applications, ranging from how to improve their reproducibility, robustness, and reliability to how to meaningfully and efficiently analyze the huge amount of heterogeneous datasets emerging from these devices. Considering the multitude of envisaged applications for microphysiological systems, it appears now necessary to tailor their complexity on the intended purpose, being academic or industrial, and possibly combine results deriving from differently complex stages to increase their predictive power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bersini
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Arrigoni
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Talò
- Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi – Sant’Ambrogio, via Cristina Belgioioso 173, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Christian Candrian
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Moretti
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi – Sant’Ambrogio, via Cristina Belgioioso 173, 20157 Milano, Italy
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Campo H, Zha D, Pattarawat P, Colina J, Zhang D, Murphy A, Yoon J, Russo A, Rogers HB, Lee HC, Zhang J, Trotter K, Wagner S, Ingram A, Pavone ME, Dunne SF, Boots CE, Urbanek M, Xiao S, Burdette JE, Woodruff TK, Kim JJ. A new tissue-agnostic microfluidic device to model physiology and disease: the lattice platform. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4821-4833. [PMID: 37846545 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00378g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
To accurately phenocopy human biology in vitro, researchers have been reducing their dependence on standard, static two-dimensional (2D) cultures and instead are moving towards three-dimensional (3D) and/or multicellular culture techniques. While these culture innovations are becoming more commonplace, there is a growing body of research that illustrates the benefits and even necessity of recapitulating the dynamic flow of nutrients, gas, waste exchange and tissue interactions that occur in vivo. However, cost and engineering complexity are two main factors that hinder the adoption of these technologies and incorporation into standard laboratory workflows. We developed LATTICE, a plug-and-play microfluidic platform able to house up to eight large tissue or organ models that can be cultured individually or in an interconnected fashion. The functionality of the platform to model both healthy and diseased tissue states was demonstrated using 3D cultures of reproductive tissues including murine ovarian tissues and human fallopian tube explants (hFTE). When exogenously exposed to pathological doses of gonadotropins and androgens to mimic the endocrinology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), subsequent ovarian follicle development, hormone production and ovulation copied key features of this endocrinopathy. Further, hFTE cilia beating decreased significantly only when experiencing continuous media exchanges. We were then able to endogenously recreate this phenotype on the platform by dynamically co-culturing the PCOS ovary and hFTE. LATTICE was designed to be customizable with flexibility in 3D culture formats and can serve as a powerful automated tool to enable the study of tissue and cellular dynamics in health and disease in all fields of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Campo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Didi Zha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Pawat Pattarawat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jose Colina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Delong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Alina Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Julia Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Angela Russo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Hunter B Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Hoi Chang Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Jiyang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Katy Trotter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Sarah Wagner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Asia Ingram
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Mary Ellen Pavone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Sara Fernandez Dunne
- High-throughput Analysis Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60628, USA
| | - Christina E Boots
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Margrit Urbanek
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Joanna E Burdette
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - J Julie Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Erickson P, Jetley G, Amin P, Mejevdiwala A, Patel A, Cheng K, Parekkadan B. A cell culture system to model pharmacokinetics using adjustable-volume perfused mixing chambers. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 91:105623. [PMID: 37236431 PMCID: PMC10526707 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105623] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of a drug is an essential factor in determining its efficacy, yet it is often neglected during in vitro cell culture experiments. Here, we present a system in which standard well plate cultures may be "plugged in" and perfused with PK drug profiles. Timed drug boluses or infusions are passed through a mixing chamber that simulates the PK volume of distribution specific to the desired drug. The user-specified PK drug profile generated by the mixing chamber passes through the incubated well plate culture, exposing cells to in vivo-like PK drug dynamics. The effluent stream from the culture may then optionally be fractionated and collected by a fraction collector. This low-cost system requires no custom parts and perfuses up to six cultures in parallel. This paper demonstrates a range of PK profiles the system can produce using a tracer dye, describes how to find the correct mixing chamber volumes to mimic PK profiles of drugs of interest, and presents a study exploring the effects of differing PK exposure on a model of lymphoma treatment with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Erickson
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Gunjan Jetley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Param Amin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Aamena Mejevdiwala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ashna Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Kelli Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Biju Parekkadan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ 08852, USA.
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4
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Heywood HK, Gardner L, Knight MM, Lee DA. Oscillations of the circadian clock protein, BMAL-1, align to daily cycles of mechanical stimuli: a novel means to integrate biological time within predictive in vitro model systems. IN VITRO MODELS 2022; 1:405-412. [PMID: 36570670 PMCID: PMC9767245 DOI: 10.1007/s44164-022-00032-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In vivo, the circadian clock drives 24-h rhythms in human physiology. Isolated cells in vitro retain a functional clockwork but lack necessary timing cues resulting in the rapid loss of tissue-level circadian rhythms. This study tests the hypothesis that repeated daily mechanical stimulation acts as a timing cue for the circadian clockwork. The delineation and integration of circadian timing cues into predictive in vitro model systems, including organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) devices, represent a novel concept that introduces a key component of in vivo physiology into predictive in vitro model systems. METHODS Quiescent bovine chondrocytes were entrained for 3 days by daily 12-h bouts of cyclic biaxial tensile strain (10%, 0.33 Hz, Flexcell) before sampling during free-running conditions. The core clock protein, BMAL-1, was quantified from normalised Western Blot signal intensity and the temporal oscillations characterised by Cosinor linear fit with 24-h period. RESULTS Following entrainment, the cell-autonomous oscillations of the molecular clock protein, BMAL-1, exhibited circadian (24 h) periodicity (p < 0.001) which aligned to the diurnal mechanical stimuli. A 6-h phase shift in the mechanical entrainment protocol resulted in an equivalent shift of the circadian clockwork. Thus, repeated daily mechanical stimuli synchronised circadian rhythmicity of chondrocytes in vitro. CONCLUSION This work demonstrates that daily mechanical stimulation can act as a timing cue that is sufficient to entrain the peripheral circadian clock in vitro. This discovery may be exploited to induce and sustain circadian physiology within into predictive in vitro model systems, including OOAC systems. Integration of the circadian clock within these systems will enhance their potential to accurately recapitulate human diurnal physiology and hence augment their predictive value as drug testing platforms and as realistic models of human (patho)physiology. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44164-022-00032-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K. Heywood
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Laurence Gardner
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Martin M. Knight
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - David A. Lee
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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5
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Guimarães CF, Cruz-Moreira D, Caballero D, Pirraco RP, Gasperini L, Kundu SC, Reis RL. Shining a Light on Cancer - Photonics in Microfluidic Tumor Modelling and Biosensing. Adv Healthc Mater 2022:e2201442. [PMID: 35998112 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201442] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic platforms represent a powerful approach to miniaturizing important characteristics of cancers, improving in vitro testing by increasing physiological relevance. Different tools can manipulate cells and materials at the microscale, but few offer the efficiency and versatility of light and optical technologies. Moreover, light-driven technologies englobe a broad toolbox for quantifying critical biological phenomena. Herein, we review the role of photonics in microfluidic 3D cancer modeling and biosensing from three major perspectives. First, we look at optical-driven technologies that allow biomaterials and living cells to be manipulated with micro-sized precision and the opportunities to advance 3D microfluidic models by engineering cancer microenvironments' hallmarks, such as their architecture, cellular complexity, and vascularization. Second, we delve into the growing field of optofluidics, exploring how optical tools can directly interface microfluidic chips, enabling the extraction of relevant biological data, from single fluorescent signals to the complete 3D imaging of diseased cells within microchannels. Third, we review advances in optical cancer biosensing, focusing on how light-matter interactions can detect biomarkers, rare circulating tumor cells, and cell-derived structures such as exosomes. We overview photonic technologies' current challenges and caveats in microfluidic 3D cancer models, outlining future research avenues that may catapult the field. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos F Guimarães
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Daniela Cruz-Moreira
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - David Caballero
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luca Gasperini
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Subhas C Kundu
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group -Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University of Minho, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, 4805-017, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga and Guimarães, Portugal
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6
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Singh D, Deosarkar SP, Cadogan E, Flemington V, Bray A, Zhang J, Reiserer RS, Schaffer DK, Gerken GB, Britt CM, Werner EM, Gibbons FD, Kostrzewski T, Chambers CE, Davies EJ, Montoya AR, Fok JHL, Hughes D, Fabre K, Wagoner MP, Wikswo JP, Scott CW. A microfluidic system that replicates pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles in vitro improves prediction of in vivo efficacy in preclinical models. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001624. [PMID: 35617197 PMCID: PMC9135222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Test compounds used on in vitro model systems are conventionally delivered to cell culture wells as fixed concentration bolus doses; however, this poorly replicates the pharmacokinetic (PK) concentration changes seen in vivo and reduces the predictive value of the data. Herein, proof-of-concept experiments were performed using a novel microfluidic device, the Microformulator, which allows in vivo like PK profiles to be applied to cells cultured in microtiter plates and facilitates the investigation of the impact of PK on biological responses. We demonstrate the utility of the device in its ability to reproduce in vivo PK profiles of different oncology compounds over multiweek experiments, both as monotherapy and drug combinations, comparing the effects on tumour cell efficacy in vitro with efficacy seen in in vivo xenograft models. In the first example, an ERK1/2 inhibitor was tested using fixed bolus dosing and Microformulator-replicated PK profiles, in 2 cell lines with different in vivo sensitivities. The Microformulator-replicated PK profiles were able to discriminate between cell line sensitivities, unlike the conventional fixed bolus dosing. In a second study, murine in vivo PK profiles of multiple Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1/2 (PARP) and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitor combinations were replicated in a FaDu cell line resulting in a reduction in cell growth in vitro with similar rank ordering to the in vivo xenograft model. Additional PK/efficacy insight into theoretical changes to drug exposure profiles was gained by using the Microformulator to expose FaDu cells to the DNA-PK inhibitor for different target coverage levels and periods of time. We demonstrate that the Microformulator enables incorporating PK exposures into cellular assays to improve in vitro-in vivo translation understanding for early therapeutic insight.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sudhir P. Deosarkar
- Oncology Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Elaine Cadogan
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vikki Flemington
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alysha Bray
- CN Bio Innovations Limited, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ronald S. Reiserer
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - David K. Schaffer
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Gregory B. Gerken
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Clayton M. Britt
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Erik M. Werner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Francis D. Gibbons
- DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | - Emma J. Davies
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - David Hughes
- CN Bio Innovations Limited, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kristin Fabre
- MPS Center of Excellence, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Wagoner
- Oncology Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John P. Wikswo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Clay W. Scott
- Oncology Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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7
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Trapecar M. Multiorgan microphysiological systems as tools to interrogate interorgan crosstalk and complex diseases. FEBS Lett 2021; 596:681-695. [PMID: 34923635 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic and inflammatory disorders such as autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases are increasing at alarming rates. Many of these are not tissue-specific occurrences but complex, systemic pathologies of unknown origin for which no cure exists. Such complexity obscures causal relationships among factors regulating disease progression. Emerging technologies mimicking human physiology, such as microphysiological systems (MPSs), offer new possibilities to provide clarity in systemic metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Controlled interaction of multiple MPSs and the scalability of biological complexity in MPSs, supported by continuous multiomic monitoring, might hold the key to identifying novel relationships between interorgan crosstalk, metabolism, and immunity. In this perspective, I aim to discuss the current state of modeling multiorgan physiology and evaluate current opportunities and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Trapecar
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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8
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Recent Advances in Chronotherapy Targeting Respiratory Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13122008. [PMID: 34959290 PMCID: PMC8704788 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory diseases contribute to a significant percentage of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The circadian rhythm is a natural biological process where our bodily functions align with the 24 h oscillation (sleep-wake cycle) process and are controlled by the circadian clock protein/gene. Disruption of the circadian rhythm could alter normal lung function. Chronotherapy is a type of therapy provided at specific time intervals based on an individual's circadian rhythm. This would allow the drug to show optimum action, and thereby modulate its pharmacokinetics to lessen unwanted or unintended effects. In this review, we deliberated on the recent advances employed in chrono-targeted therapeutics for chronic respiratory diseases.
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9
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Malik M, Yang Y, Fathi P, Mahler GJ, Esch MB. Critical Considerations for the Design of Multi-Organ Microphysiological Systems (MPS). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:721338. [PMID: 34568333 PMCID: PMC8459628 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.721338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification and approval of new drugs for use in patients requires extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials. Preclinical studies rely on in vitro experiments and animal models of human diseases. The transferability of drug toxicity and efficacy estimates to humans from animal models is being called into question. Subsequent clinical studies often reveal lower than expected efficacy and higher drug toxicity in humans than that seen in animal models. Microphysiological systems (MPS), sometimes called organ or human-on-chip models, present a potential alternative to animal-based models used for drug toxicity screening. This review discusses multi-organ MPS that can be used to model diseases and test the efficacy and safety of drug candidates. The translation of an in vivo environment to an in vitro system requires physiologically relevant organ scaling, vascular dimensions, and appropriate flow rates. Even small changes in those parameters can alter the outcome of experiments conducted with MPS. With many MPS devices being developed, we have outlined some established standards for designing MPS devices and described techniques to validate the devices. A physiologically realistic mimic of the human body can help determine the dose response and toxicity effects of a new drug candidate with higher predictive power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mridu Malik
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Yang Yang
- Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Parinaz Fathi
- Department of Bioengineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Gretchen J. Mahler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Mandy B. Esch
- Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
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10
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Abstract
Circadian rhythms describe physiological systems that repeat themselves with a cycle of approximately 24 h. Our understanding of the cellular and molecular origins of these oscillations has improved dramatically, allowing us to appreciate the significant role these oscillations play in maintaining physiological homeostasis. Circadian rhythms allow living organisms to predict and efficiently respond to a dynamically changing environment, set by repetitive day/night cycles. Since circadian rhythms underlie almost every aspect of human physiology, it is unsurprising that they also influence the response of a living organism to disease, stress, and therapeutics. Therefore, not only do the mechanisms that maintain health and disrupt homeostasis depend on our internal circadian clock, but also the way drugs are perceived and function depends on these physiological rhythms. We present a holistic view of the therapeutic process, discussing components such as disease state, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, as well as adverse reactions that are critically affected by circadian rhythms. We outline challenges and opportunities in moving toward personalized medicine approaches that explore and capitalize on circadian rhythms for the benefit of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaakov Nahmias
- Center for Bioengineering, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Ioannis P Androulakis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA; .,Department of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
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11
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Dame K, Ribeiro AJ. Microengineered systems with iPSC-derived cardiac and hepatic cells to evaluate drug adverse effects. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 246:317-331. [PMID: 32938227 PMCID: PMC7859673 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220959598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic and cardiac drug adverse effects are among the leading causes of attrition in drug development programs, in part due to predictive failures of current animal or in vitro models. Hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold promise for predicting clinical drug effects, given their human-specific properties and their ability to harbor genetically determined characteristics that underlie inter-individual variations in drug response. Currently, the fetal-like properties and heterogeneity of hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes differentiated from iPSCs make them physiologically different from their counterparts isolated from primary tissues and limit their use for predicting clinical drug effects. To address this hurdle, there have been ongoing advances in differentiation and maturation protocols to improve the quality and use of iPSC-differentiated lineages. Among these are in vitro hepatic and cardiac cellular microsystems that can further enhance the physiology of cultured cells, can be used to better predict drug adverse effects, and investigate drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics to facilitate successful drug development. In this article, we discuss how cellular microsystems can establish microenvironments for these applications and propose how they could be used for potentially controlling the differentiation of hepatocytes or cardiomyocytes. The physiological relevance of cells is enhanced in cellular microsystems by simulating properties of tissue microenvironments, such as structural dimensionality, media flow, microfluidic control of media composition, and co-cultures with interacting cell types. Recent studies demonstrated that these properties also affect iPSC differentiations and we further elaborate on how they could control differentiation efficiency in microengineered devices. In summary, we describe recent advances in the field of cellular microsystems that can control the differentiation and maturation of hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes for drug evaluation. We also propose how future research with iPSCs within engineered microenvironments could enable their differentiation for scalable evaluations of drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri Dame
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Alexandre Js Ribeiro
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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12
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Low LA, Mummery C, Berridge BR, Austin CP, Tagle DA. Organs-on-chips: into the next decade. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 20:345-361. [PMID: 32913334 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0079-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Organs-on-chips (OoCs), also known as microphysiological systems or 'tissue chips' (the terms are synonymous), have attracted substantial interest in recent years owing to their potential to be informative at multiple stages of the drug discovery and development process. These innovative devices could provide insights into normal human organ function and disease pathophysiology, as well as more accurately predict the safety and efficacy of investigational drugs in humans. Therefore, they are likely to become useful additions to traditional preclinical cell culture methods and in vivo animal studies in the near term, and in some cases replacements for them in the longer term. In the past decade, the OoC field has seen dramatic advances in the sophistication of biology and engineering, in the demonstration of physiological relevance and in the range of applications. These advances have also revealed new challenges and opportunities, and expertise from multiple biomedical and engineering fields will be needed to fully realize the promise of OoCs for fundamental and translational applications. This Review provides a snapshot of this fast-evolving technology, discusses current applications and caveats for their implementation, and offers suggestions for directions in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie A Low
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Christine Mummery
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Brian R Berridge
- National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher P Austin
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Danilo A Tagle
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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13
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Guenat OT, Geiser T, Berthiaume F. Clinically Relevant Tissue Scale Responses as New Readouts from Organs-on-a-Chip for Precision Medicine. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2020; 13:111-133. [PMID: 31961712 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061318-114919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Organs-on-chips (OOC) are widely seen as being the next generation in vitro models able to accurately recreate the biochemical-physical cues of the cellular microenvironment found in vivo. In addition, they make it possible to examine tissue-scale functional properties of multicellular systems dynamically and in a highly controlled manner. Here we summarize some of the most remarkable examples of OOC technology's ability to extract clinically relevant tissue-level information. The review is organized around the types of OOC outputs that can be measured from the cultured tissues and transferred to clinically meaningful information. First, the creation of functional tissues-on-chip is discussed, followed by the presentation of tissue-level readouts specific to OOC, such as morphological changes, vessel formation and function, tissue properties, and metabolic functions. In each case, the clinical relevance of the extracted information is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier T Guenat
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland;
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital and University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Thoracic Surgery Department, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Geiser
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital and University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - François Berthiaume
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
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14
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Hawkins KG, Casolaro C, Brown JA, Edwards DA, Wikswo JP. The Microbiome and the Gut-Liver-Brain Axis for Central Nervous System Clinical Pharmacology: Challenges in Specifying and Integrating In Vitro and In Silico Models. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020; 108:929-948. [PMID: 32347548 PMCID: PMC7572575 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The complexity of integrating microbiota into clinical pharmacology, environmental toxicology, and opioid studies arises from bidirectional and multiscale interactions between humans and their many microbiota, notably those of the gut. Hosts and each microbiota are governed by distinct central dogmas, with genetics influencing transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Each microbiota's metabolome differentially modulates its own and the host's multi‐omics. Exogenous compounds (e.g., drugs and toxins), often affect host multi‐omics differently than microbiota multi‐omics, shifting the balance between drug efficacy and toxicity. The complexity of the host‐microbiota connection has been informed by current methods of in vitro bacterial cultures and in vivo mouse models, but they fail to elucidate mechanistic details. Together, in vitro organ‐on‐chip microphysiological models, multi‐omics, and in silico computational models have the potential to supplement the established methods to help clinical pharmacologists and environmental toxicologists unravel the myriad of connections between the gut microbiota and host health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle G Hawkins
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Caleb Casolaro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacquelyn A Brown
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - David A Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - John P Wikswo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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15
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Stewart AG. Editorial overview: Engineering drug discovery technologies: clinical trial on-a-chip. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 48:vii-ix. [PMID: 31601474 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alastair G Stewart
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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16
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Lohasz C, Frey O, Bonanini F, Renggli K, Hierlemann A. Tubing-Free Microfluidic Microtissue Culture System Featuring Gradual, in vivo-Like Substance Exposure Profiles. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:72. [PMID: 31001529 PMCID: PMC6454105 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro screening methods for compound efficacy and toxicity to date mostly include cell or tissue exposure to preset constant compound concentrations over a defined testing period. Such concentration profiles, however, do not represent realistic in vivo situations after substance uptake. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of administered substances in an organism or human body entail gradually changing pharmacokinetic concentration profiles. As concentration profile dynamics can influence drug effects on the target tissues, it is important to be able to reproduce realistic concentration profiles in in vitro systems. We present a novel design that can be integrated in tubing-free, microfluidic culture chips. These chips are actuated by tilting so that gravity-driven flow and perfusion of culture chambers can be established between reservoirs at both ends of a microfluidic channel. The design enables the realization of in vivo-like substance exposure scenarios. Compound gradients are generated through an asymmetric Y-junction of channels with different hydrodynamic resistances. Six microtissues (MTs) can be cultured and exposed in compartments along the channel. Changes of the chip design or operation parameters enable to alter the dosing profile over a large range. Modulation of, e.g., the tilting angle, changes the slope of the dosing curves, so that concentration curves can be attained that resemble the pharmacokinetic characteristics of common substances in a human body. Human colorectal cancer (HCT 116) MTs were exposed to both, gradually decreasing and constant concentrations of Staurosporine. Measurements of apoptosis induction and viability after 5 h and 24 h showed different short- and long-term responses of the MTs to dynamic and linear dosing regimes
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lohasz
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Flavio Bonanini
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kasper Renggli
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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17
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Watson DE, Hunziker R, Wikswo JP. Fitting tissue chips and microphysiological systems into the grand scheme of medicine, biology, pharmacology, and toxicology. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2017; 242:1559-1572. [PMID: 29065799 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217732765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPS), which include engineered organoids (EOs), single organ/tissue chips (TCs), and multiple organs interconnected to create miniature in vitro models of human physiological systems, are rapidly becoming effective tools for drug development and the mechanistic understanding of tissue physiology and pathophysiology. The second MPS thematic issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine comprises 15 articles by scientists and engineers from the National Institutes of Health, the IQ Consortium, the Food and Drug Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency, an MPS company, and academia. Topics include the progress, challenges, and future of organs-on-chips, dissemination of TCs into Pharma, children's health protection, liver zonation, liver chips and their coupling to interconnected systems, gastrointestinal MPS, maturation of immature cardiomyocytes in a heart-on-a-chip, coculture of multiple cell types in a human skin construct, use of synthetic hydrogels to create EOs that form neural tissue models, the blood-brain barrier-on-a-chip, MPS models of coupled female reproductive organs, coupling MPS devices to create a body-on-a-chip, and the use of a microformulator to recapitulate endocrine circadian rhythms. While MPS hardware has been relatively stable since the last MPS thematic issue, there have been significant advances in cell sourcing, with increased reliance on human-induced pluripotent stem cells, and in characterization of the genetic and functional cell state in MPS bioreactors. There is growing appreciation of the need to minimize perfusate-to-cell-volume ratios and respect physiological scaling of coupled TCs. Questions asked by drug developers are followed by an analysis of the potential value, costs, and needs of Pharma. Of highest value and lowest switching costs may be the development of MPS disease models to aid in the discovery of disease mechanisms; novel compounds including probes, leads, and clinical candidates; and mechanism of action of drug candidates. Impact statement Microphysiological systems (MPS), which include engineered organoids and both individual and coupled organs-on-chips and tissue chips, are a rapidly growing topic of research that addresses the known limitations of conventional cellular monoculture on flat plastic - a well-perfected set of techniques that produces reliable, statistically significant results that may not adequately represent human biology and disease. As reviewed in this article and the others in this thematic issue, MPS research has made notable progress in the past three years in both cell sourcing and characterization. As the field matures, currently identified challenges are being addressed, and new ones are being recognized. Building upon investments by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and Environmental Protection Agency of more than $200 million since 2012 and sizable corporate spending, academic and commercial players in the MPS community are demonstrating their ability to meet the translational challenges required to apply MPS technologies to accelerate drug development and advance toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosemarie Hunziker
- 2 National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John P Wikswo
- 3 Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, and Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1807, USA
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