Extracellular Matrix Optimization for Enhanced Physiological Relevance in Hepatic Tissue-Chips

Abstract

The cellular microenvironment is influenced explicitly by the extracellular matrix (ECM), the main tissue support biomaterial, as a decisive factor for tissue growth patterns. The recent emergence of hepatic microphysiological systems (MPS) provide the basic physiological emulation of the human liver for drug screening. However, engineering microfluidic devices with standardized surface coatings of ECM may improve MPS-based organ-specific emulation for improved drug screening. The influence of surface coatings of different ECM types on tissue development needs to be optimized. Additionally, an intensity-based image processing tool and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) sensor may assist in the analysis of tissue formation capacity under the influence of different ECM types. The current study highlights the role of ECM coatings for improved tissue formation, implying the additional role of image processing and TEER sensors. We studied hepatic tissue formation under the influence of multiple concentrations of Matrigel, collagen, fibronectin, and poly-L-lysine. Based on experimental data, a mathematical model was developed, and ECM concentrations were validated for better tissue development. TEER sensor and image processing data were used to evaluate the development of a hepatic MPS for human liver physiology modeling. Image analysis data for tissue formation was further strengthened by metabolic quantification of albumin, urea, and cytochrome P450. Standardized ECM type for MPS may improve clinical relevance for modeling hepatic tissue microenvironment, and image processing possibly enhance the tissue analysis of the MPS.

An Engineered Protein-Based Building Block (Albumin Methacryloyl) for Fabrication of a 3D In Vitro Cryogel Model

“…The integrin binding sites in fibronectin and collagen have been confirmed to promote cell adhesion. Therefore, dual ECM (collagen and fibronectin) coating is an optimal method to mimic the liver microenvironment to facilitate cell development and stabilize the cell functions in engineered albumin-based cryogel liver tissues [ 53 , 54 ].…”

Gravity-Based Flow Efficient Perfusion Culture System for Spheroids Mimicking Liver Inflammation

“…The level of relevance of a microphysiological system (MPS) with human physiology makes them ideal for identifying the novel therapeutics. The organ-on-a-chip and spheroid culture systems are evolving to better mimic human pathophysiology, which is being enhanced by the integration of sensors and robotics [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Among MPS, spheroids are emerging with the potential to mimic human tissues in a 3D shape and function [9][10][11].…”

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants of Himalayas, Pakistan

“…After 80 to 90% confluency, the cells were expanded up to 3 passages before seeding and washed with Dulbecco’s phosphate buffer saline (DPBS) (Cat# 14190144, ThermoFisher, Waltham, MA, USA) to remove cell debris and metabolites before adding fresh media. Cells at 90% confluency were trypsinized with 0.05% Trypsin-EDTA solution (Cat# 25300054, Thermo Fisher, USA), then suspended in freshly prepared RPMI-1640 media containing a specified concentration of FBS [ 22 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Human primary pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC) (Science Cell Research laboratories, Carlsbad, CA, USA) were revived according to the manufacturer’s instructions.…”