Microfluidic Skin-on-a-Chip Models: Toward Biomimetic Artificial Skin

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Dermatology

Background:

• The skin's barrier, homeostatic, and sensory functions are crucial for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• Current in vitro skin models lack complexity, necessitating animal testing in preclinical drug trials, leading to high costs and failure rates.
• Skin-on-a-chip (SoC) models offer precise microenvironment control and mechanical cues, surpassing conventional cell studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advancements in skin-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms.
• To highlight the fabrication methods and integration of key features in SoC models.
• To discuss the potential of SoC models in overcoming limitations of current skin research models.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication techniques for skin-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms.
• Incorporation of mechanical stimuli and sensors within SoC devices.
• Integration of vascular networks into SoC models for enhanced physiological relevance.

Main Results:

• SoC models demonstrate improved barrier function, vascularization, and cellular differentiation compared to traditional models.
• Significant progress has been made in controlling microenvironments and applying mechanical cues.
• Challenges remain in replicating skin appendages like hair follicles and sweat glands, and achieving pigmentation relevance.

Conclusions:

• Skin-on-a-chip (SoC) technology represents a significant leap in creating more accurate human skin models for research.
• Further development is needed to fully integrate complex skin structures and functions into SoC platforms.
• SoC models hold promise for revolutionizing preclinical drug testing and cosmetic/pharmaceutical development.