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OOCHIP: Compartmentalized Microfluidic Perfusion System with Porous Barriers for Enhanced Cell-Cell Crosstalk in
Qasem Ramadan1,2, Sajay Bhuvanendran Nair Gourikutty1, Qing Xin Zhang1
1Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-02, Innovis Tower, Singapore 138635, Singapore.
Micromachines
|June 4, 2020
Summary
This study introduces microfluidic chips for advanced cell culture, enabling better prediction of drug efficacy and disease models. These systems mimic human tissue interactions, reducing reliance on animal testing.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Current in vitro models inadequately replicate human physiology, necessitating animal models with differing disease states and metabolism.
- In vivo, cells interact within a complex architecture, crucial for tissue function, which existing cell culture systems fail to emulate.
- There is a critical need for advanced in vitro models that accurately mimic human cellular interactions and tissue organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present a novel compartmentalized microfluidic chip system for advanced in vitro cell co-culture.
- To enable enhanced cell-cell interactions and mimic in vivo-like paracrine signaling.
- To provide a versatile platform for developing single- and multi-organ models that bridge the gap between in vivo and in vitro research.
Main Methods:
- Design and fabrication of silicon-based microfluidic chips with compartmentalized structures.
- Incorporation of micro-engineered porous barriers to maintain in vivo-like fluid flow and facilitate paracrine exchange.
- Co-culturing of different cell types, including human adipose tissue and immune cells, within the microfluidic system.
Main Results:
- The microfluidic chips successfully enabled co-culture of multiple cell types in close proximity, enhancing cell-cell interactions.
- Micro-engineered porous barriers effectively mimicked paracrine signaling between adjacent cellular compartments.
- The system demonstrated potential in modeling disease contexts, exemplified by studying type 2 diabetes using adipose and immune cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic system offers a powerful platform for creating advanced in vitro models that closely resemble human tissue structure and function.
- This technology can significantly improve the prediction of drug efficacy, drug interactions, and disease mechanisms.
- The platform has the potential to reduce the reliance on animal models by providing more human-relevant in vitro experimental systems.
