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"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Published on: February 19, 2019
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Physiologically relevant microsystems to study viral infection in the human liver
Dennis McDuffie1, David Barr2, Ashutosh Agarwal1,3,4
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|October 17, 2022
Summary
Physiomimetic microsystems offer a novel approach to studying viral hepatitis by better mimicking the liver environment. These advanced models can sustain hepatocyte function, enabling longer investigations into chronic viral infections and host interactions.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Virology
- Biomedical Engineering
- In vitro modeling
Background:
- Viral hepatitis remains a major global health concern, causing significant liver disease and mortality.
- Current treatments for viral hepatitis are costly and not universally accessible, with some patients still at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Existing 2D in vitro models struggle to maintain mature hepatocyte function, limiting the study of chronic viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of physiomimetic microsystems for studying viral hepatitis in vitro.
- To compare the effectiveness of physiomimetic platforms with traditional 2D cell cultures for investigating viral lifecycle and host interactions.
- To highlight how physiomimetic system design can be optimized for viral hepatitis research.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing physiomimetic microsystems that incorporate elements of the native liver microenvironment, such as tissue architecture and cell co-cultures.
- Comparing the functionality and longevity of hepatocytes in physiomimetic systems versus conventional 2D cultures.
- Adapting existing drug discovery platforms for the study of viral hepatitis infection models.
Main Results:
- Physiomimetic microsystems show potential for prolonged hepatocyte viability and function, crucial for sustaining chronic viral hepatitis infections in vitro.
- These advanced models offer a more physiologically relevant environment compared to 2D cultures for studying virus-host interactions.
- The design principles of drug discovery microsystems provide a foundation for developing effective viral hepatitis research tools.
Conclusions:
- Physiomimetic microsystems represent a significant advancement for in vitro research on viral hepatitis.
- These platforms can overcome limitations of traditional cell cultures, enabling deeper insights into viral pathogenesis and host responses.
- Further development and application of these microsystems could enhance our understanding and treatment strategies for viral hepatitis.
