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Boylin K, Aquino GV, Purdon M, Abedi K, Kasendra M, Barrile R. Basic models to advanced systems: harnessing the power of organoids-based microphysiological models of the human brain. Biofabrication 2024; 16:032007. [PMID: 38749420 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad4c08] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the complexities of the human brain's function in health and disease is a formidable challenge in neuroscience. While traditional models like animals offer valuable insights, they often fall short in accurately mirroring human biology and drug responses. Moreover, recent legislation has underscored the need for more predictive models that more accurately represent human physiology. To address this requirement, human-derived cell cultures have emerged as a crucial alternative for biomedical research. However, traditional static cell culture models lack the dynamic tissue microenvironment that governs human tissue function. Advancedin vitrosystems, such as organoids and microphysiological systems (MPSs), bridge this gap by offering more accurate representations of human biology. Organoids, which are three-dimensional miniaturized organ-like structures derived from stem cells, exhibit physiological responses akin to native tissues, but lack essential tissue-specific components such as functional vascular structures and immune cells. Recent endeavors have focused on incorporating endothelial cells and immune cells into organoids to enhance vascularization, maturation, and disease modeling. MPS, including organ-on-chip technologies, integrate diverse cell types and vascularization under dynamic culture conditions, revolutionizing brain research by bridging the gap betweenin vitroandin vivomodels. In this review, we delve into the evolution of MPS, with a particular focus on highlighting the significance of vascularization in enhancing the viability, functionality, and disease modeling potential of organoids. By examining the interplay of vasculature and neuronal cells within organoids, we can uncover novel therapeutic targets and gain valuable insights into disease mechanisms, offering the promise of significant advancements in neuroscience and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Boylin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Grace V Aquino
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Michael Purdon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Kimia Abedi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Magdalena Kasendra
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Riccardo Barrile
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
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Farhang Doost N, Srivastava SK. A Comprehensive Review of Organ-on-a-Chip Technology and Its Applications. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:225. [PMID: 38785699 PMCID: PMC11118005 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) is an emerging technology that simulates an artificial organ within a microfluidic cell culture chip. Current cell biology research focuses on in vitro cell cultures due to various limitations of in vivo testing. Unfortunately, in-vitro cell culturing fails to provide an accurate microenvironment, and in vivo cell culturing is expensive and has historically been a source of ethical controversy. OOC aims to overcome these shortcomings and provide the best of both in vivo and in vitro cell culture research. The critical component of the OOC design is utilizing microfluidics to ensure a stable concentration gradient, dynamic mechanical stress modeling, and accurate reconstruction of a cellular microenvironment. OOC also has the advantage of complete observation and control of the system, which is impossible to recreate in in-vivo research. Multiple throughputs, channels, membranes, and chambers are constructed in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) array to simulate various organs on a chip. Various experiments can be performed utilizing OOC technology, including drug delivery research and toxicology. Current technological expansions involve multiple organ microenvironments on a single chip, allowing for studying inter-tissue interactions. Other developments in the OOC technology include finding a more suitable material as a replacement for PDMS and minimizing artefactual error and non-translatable differences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Soumya K. Srivastava
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
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Thenuwara G, Javed B, Singh B, Tian F. Biosensor-Enhanced Organ-on-a-Chip Models for Investigating Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2865. [PMID: 38732975 PMCID: PMC11086276 DOI: 10.3390/s24092865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, an aggressive primary brain tumor, poses a significant challenge owing to its dynamic and intricate tumor microenvironment. This review investigates the innovative integration of biosensor-enhanced organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models as a novel strategy for an in-depth exploration of glioblastoma tumor microenvironment dynamics. In recent years, the transformative approach of incorporating biosensors into OOC platforms has enabled real-time monitoring and analysis of cellular behaviors within a controlled microenvironment. Conventional in vitro and in vivo models exhibit inherent limitations in accurately replicating the complex nature of glioblastoma progression. This review addresses the existing research gap by pioneering the integration of biosensor-enhanced OOC models, providing a comprehensive platform for investigating glioblastoma tumor microenvironment dynamics. The applications of this combined approach in studying glioblastoma dynamics are critically scrutinized, emphasizing its potential to bridge the gap between simplistic models and the intricate in vivo conditions. Furthermore, the article discusses the implications of biosensor-enhanced OOC models in elucidating the dynamic features of the tumor microenvironment, encompassing cell migration, proliferation, and interactions. By furnishing real-time insights, these models significantly contribute to unraveling the complex biology of glioblastoma, thereby influencing the development of more accurate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathree Thenuwara
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Bilal Javed
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Nanolab Research Centre, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Baljit Singh
- MiCRA Biodiagnostics Technology Gateway, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), D24 FKT9 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Furong Tian
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Lower, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland; (G.T.); (B.J.)
- Nanolab Research Centre, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
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Deli MA, Porkoláb G, Kincses A, Mészáros M, Szecskó A, Kocsis AE, Vigh JP, Valkai S, Veszelka S, Walter FR, Dér A. Lab-on-a-chip models of the blood-brain barrier: evolution, problems, perspectives. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1030-1063. [PMID: 38353254 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00996c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A great progress has been made in the development and use of lab-on-a-chip devices to model and study the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the last decade. We present the main types of BBB-on-chip models and their use for the investigation of BBB physiology, drug and nanoparticle transport, toxicology and pathology. The selection of the appropriate cell types to be integrated into BBB-on-chip devices is discussed, as this greatly impacts the physiological relevance and translatability of findings. We identify knowledge gaps, neglected engineering and cell biological aspects and point out problems and contradictions in the literature of BBB-on-chip models, and suggest areas for further studies to progress this highly interdisciplinary field. BBB-on-chip models have an exceptional potential as predictive tools and alternatives of animal experiments in basic and preclinical research. To exploit the full potential of this technique expertise from materials science, bioengineering as well as stem cell and vascular/BBB biology is necessary. There is a need for better integration of these diverse disciplines that can only be achieved by setting clear parameters for characterizing both the chip and the BBB model parts technically and functionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária A Deli
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Gergő Porkoláb
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Kincses
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Mária Mészáros
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Anikó Szecskó
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anna E Kocsis
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Judit P Vigh
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Valkai
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Szilvia Veszelka
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Fruzsina R Walter
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - András Dér
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
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Marino A, Battaglini M, Lefevre MC, Ceccarelli MC, Ziaja K, Ciofani G. Sensorization of microfluidic brain-on-a-chip devices: Towards a new generation of integrated drug screening systems. Trends Analyt Chem 2023; 168:117319. [PMID: 37915756 PMCID: PMC7615229 DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.117319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Brain-on-a-chip (BoC) devices show typical characteristics of brain complexity, including the presence of different cell types, separation in different compartments, tissue-like three-dimensionality, and inclusion of the extracellular matrix components. Moreover, the incorporation of a vascular system mimicking the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes BoC particularly attractive, since they can be exploited to test the brain delivery of different drugs and nanoformulations. In this review, we introduce the main innovations in BoC and BBB-on-a-chip models, especially focusing sensorization: electrical, electrochemical, and optical biosensors permit the real-time monitoring of different biological phenomena and markers, such as the release of growth factors, the expression of specific receptors/biomarkers, the activation of immune cells, cell viability, cell-cell interactions, and BBB crossing of drugs and nanoparticles. The recent improvements in signal amplification, miniaturization, and multiplication of the sensors are discussed in an effort to highlight their benefits versus limitations and delineate future challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attilio Marino
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Matteo Battaglini
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Marie Celine Lefevre
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Ceccarelli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, The Biorobotics Institute, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Kamil Ziaja
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, The Biorobotics Institute, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
- University of Aveiro, Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Rua de Calouste Gulbenkian 1, 3810-074, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
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Łach A, Wnuk A, Wójtowicz AK. Experimental Models to Study the Functions of the Blood-Brain Barrier. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050519. [PMID: 37237588 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to discuss the achievements of in vitro modeling in terms of the blood-brain barrier [BBB] and to create a clear overview of this research area, which is useful in research planning. The text was divided into three main parts. The first part describes the BBB as a functional structure, its constitution, cellular and noncellular components, mechanisms of functioning and importance for the central nervous system, in terms of both protection and nourishment. The second part is an overview of parameters important in terms of establishing and maintaining a barrier phenotype that allows for formulating criteria of evaluation of the BBB in vitro models. The third and last part discusses certain techniques for developing the BBB in vitro models. It describes subsequent research approaches and models, as they underwent change alongside technological advancement. On the one hand, we discuss possibilities and limitations of different research approaches: primary cultures vs. cell lines and monocultures vs. multicultures. On the other hand, we review advantages and disadvantages of specific models, such as models-on-a-chip, 3D models or microfluidic models. We not only attempt to state the usefulness of specific models in different kinds of research on the BBB but also emphasize the significance of this area of research for advancement of neuroscience and the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Łach
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Epigenetics, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Nutrition, Animal Biotechnology and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wnuk
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Epigenetics, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wójtowicz
- Department of Nutrition, Animal Biotechnology and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
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