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Generation of a Simplified Three-Dimensional Skin-on-a-chip Model in a Micromachined Microfluidic Platform
Published on: May 17, 2021
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Skin integrated with perfusable vascular channels on a chip
Nobuhito Mori1, Yuya Morimoto1, Shoji Takeuchi2
1Center for International Research on Integrative Biomedical Systems (CIBiS), Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
Biomaterials
|December 4, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a vascularized skin-equivalent model for drug testing. This engineered skin provides nutrition and allows study of substance absorption, advancing skin-on-a-chip applications.
Area of Science:
- Tissue Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Dermatology
Background:
- Current skin models lack integrated vascular networks, limiting their physiological relevance.
- Developing perfusable vascular channels is crucial for advanced skin-on-a-chip systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate a perfusable vascularized skin-equivalent.
- To evaluate its suitability for studying skin absorption and for skin-on-a-chip applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of vascular channels within a skin-equivalent using a culture device and external pump.
- Histological analysis to confirm channel structure and endothelial cell coverage.
- Assessment of barrier function and nutrient supply.
- Permeation studies to evaluate vascular absorption.
Main Results:
- Successfully constructed perfusable vascular channels with endothelial cell lining in the skin-equivalent.
- Confirmed conventional dermal/epidermal morphology and tight junction formation.
- Demonstrated barrier function and nutrient supply via vascular channels.
- Validated the model for studying test molecule permeation from epidermis to vasculature.
Conclusions:
- The vascularized skin-equivalent serves as a functional model for skin biology and absorption studies.
- This engineered tissue is suitable for skin-on-a-chip applications in drug development and cosmetics testing.
