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Engineering approaches to study fibrosis in 3-D in vitro systems
Ana M Porras1, Heather N Hutson1, Anthony J Berger1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|March 2, 2016
Summary
Fibrotic diseases are difficult to treat due to poor understanding and inadequate lab models. This review explores advanced 3-D platforms and imaging techniques to better study fibrosis mechanisms and find new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Medical Imaging
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Fibrotic diseases affect numerous organs and are a leading cause of death.
- Current in vitro models lack sufficient fibrosis biomimicry, hindering anti-fibrotic agent development.
- Mechanistic understanding of fibrosis remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in 3-D platforms for fibrosis research.
- To highlight novel imaging and sensor techniques for extracellular matrix remodeling analysis.
- To identify opportunities for developing better in vitro fibrosis models.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on 3-D biomimetic platforms for fibrosis.
- Discussion of advanced imaging and sensor technologies for dynamic analysis.
- Exploration of biomaterials, imaging, and systems biology tools.
Main Results:
- Emerging 3-D platforms offer improved biomimicry for fibrosis.
- Novel imaging and sensor techniques enable dynamic analysis of matrix remodeling.
- Integration of new tools can create more relevant in vitro models.
Conclusions:
- Advanced 3-D platforms and imaging are crucial for understanding fibrosis.
- Improved in vitro models can facilitate the discovery of anti-fibrotic treatments.
- Interdisciplinary approaches promise to unlock new therapeutic targets.
