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Published on: July 27, 2017
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Amnion membrane organ-on-chip: an innovative approach to study cellular interactions
Lauren Richardson1,2, Sehoon Jeong2, Sungjin Kim3
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA.
Summary
An innovative amnion membrane organ-on-chip model revealed how cellular interactions and transitions in the amniotic membrane are affected by oxidative stress. This model aids in understanding preterm birth mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cell biology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- The amnion membrane maintains intrauterine integrity, with cellular remodeling crucial for its function.
- Oxidative stress (OS) disrupts this remodeling, potentially leading to preterm birth.
- Mechanisms maintaining amnion homeostasis under OS are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and utilize an amnion membrane organ-on-chip (AM-OOC) model.
- To investigate the interactive and transition properties of amnion epithelial cells (AECs) and amnion mesenchymal cells (AMCs).
- To elucidate cellular responses to oxidative stress relevant to pregnancy and parturition.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dual-chamber AM-OOC with microchannels for cell migration and interaction studies.
- Cultured primary human AECs and AMCs independently and in co-culture.
- Exposed cells to OS-inducing cigarette smoke extract and the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC).
Main Results:
- Independently, AECs transitioned to AMCs and migrated; AMCs migrated without transition.
- OS induced AEC transition but inhibited migration, while AMCs' migration was unaffected.
- Co-culture promoted cell integration; OS increased inflammation, which NAC counteracted.
Conclusions:
- The AM-OOC model successfully recapitulates in utero amnion cellular dynamics.
- Cellular transitions and migration are key to amnion integrity, modulated by OS.
- This model offers a platform for studying cellular roles in pregnancy and parturition complications.
Keywords:
amnion epithelial cellsamnion mesenchymal cellscellular migrationcellular transitionfetal membraneMore Related Videos
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