A three-dimensional immunocompetent intestine-on-chip model as in vitro platform for functional and microbial...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Gut microbial dysbiosis and immune dysregulation contribute to inflammatory diseases.
• Understanding these interactions requires advanced in vitro models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D microphysiological system of the human intestine.
• To investigate microbial interactions and host immune responses in a physiologically relevant context.

Main Methods:

• Established a 3D organotypic intestinal model with innate immune cells.
• Utilized the model to study interactions between Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Candida albicans.
• Assessed tissue damage, translocation, and fungal burden.

Main Results:

• The model recapitulates intestinal immune tolerance to microbial-associated molecular patterns.
• Pre-colonization with L. rhamnosus significantly reduced C. albicans-induced tissue damage and translocation.
• The model enabled efficient investigation of microbial interactions and immune responses.

Conclusions:

• The 3D intestinal model provides a powerful platform for studying host-microbe interactions.
• This model facilitates the characterization of immune responses and microbial pathogenicity.
• It allows for the quantification of cellular dysfunction linked to microbial alterations.