Basement membrane properties and their recapitulation in organ-on-chip applications
Golestan Salimbeigi1, Nihal E Vrana2,3, Amir M Ghaemmaghami4
1School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Materials Today. Bio
|June 26, 2023
Summary
Developing better in vitro cell culture models is crucial for drug discovery and toxicology. This review highlights the need for improved basement membrane-mimicking substrates in organ-on-chips to enhance physiological relevance.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Toxicology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Animal testing in drug discovery has limitations due to species differences and ethical concerns.
- Current in vitro cell culture models struggle to accurately replicate human organ physiology.
- Organ-on-chips (OOCs) offer a promising alternative but require improved barrier membrane design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the importance of basement membrane (BM) characteristics in in vitro organ models.
- To identify key parameters for replicating native BM properties.
- To guide the development of advanced BM-mimicking substrates for barrier organ models.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the physical and mechanical properties of membranes in cell culture.
- Analysis of current limitations in OOC technology regarding barrier membranes.
- Identification of critical BM characteristics for physiological relevance.
Main Results:
- The physical and mechanical properties of cell culture membranes significantly influence cell and system behavior.
- Current commercial membranes in OOCs poorly replicate native basement membrane architectures.
- Replicating native BM characteristics is essential for accurate modeling of physical and metabolic barriers.
Conclusions:
- Advanced BM-mimicking substrates are crucial for developing physiologically relevant in vitro barrier organ models.
- Future OOC development should prioritize substrates that accurately recapitulate native basement membrane properties.
- Improved in vitro models will enhance the reliability of drug compound and toxin assessment.
Related Concept Videos
01:54What are Membranes?
A key characteristic of life is the ability to separate the external environment from the internal space. To do this, cells have evolved semi-permeable membranes that regulate the passage of biological molecules. Additionally, the cell membrane defines a cell’s shape and interactions with the external environment. Eukaryotic cell membranes also serve to compartmentalize the internal space into organelles, including the endomembrane structures of the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi...
01:24What are Membranes?
A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...
01:03Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM
The basal lamina is a thin extracellular layer that lies underneath the cells and separates them from other tissues. The three layers of the basal lamina are lamina lucida, lamina densa and lamina reticularis. The basal lamina, a mixture of glycoproteins and collagen, provides an attachment site for the epithelium, separating it from underlying connective tissue. The framework of basal lamina has other essential proteins such as laminins mesh, perlecan, entactin, and type IV collagen.
Proteins...
Proteins...
01:22Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Overview
Epithelial tissues are classified according to the shape of the cells and the number of cell layers formed. Cell shapes can be squamous (flattened and thin), cuboidal (square-like, as wide as it is tall), or columnar (rectangular, taller than it is wide). Additionally, the nucleus shape helps identify the type of epithelial cells. Squamous cells have flattened disc-shaped nuclei, cuboidal cells have spherical nuclei, and columnar cells have elongated nuclei.
Based on the number of cell layers,...
Based on the number of cell layers,...
01:30Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium
Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells that lines body cavities and blood vessels. The shape of the cells in the epithelium reflects the function of the tissue. Cells in simple squamous epithelium appear as thin scales with flat, elliptical nuclei that mirror the form of the cell.
Because of the thinness of the cells, simple squamous epithelium is present where the rapid passage of chemical compounds is observed. For example, the endothelium that lines the capillaries and vessels...
Because of the thinness of the cells, simple squamous epithelium is present where the rapid passage of chemical compounds is observed. For example, the endothelium that lines the capillaries and vessels...
01:27Tissue Membranes
A tissue membrane is a thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body, the organs, internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body, and the lining of the moveable joint cavities. There are two basic types of tissue membranes— connective tissue and epithelial membranes.
Connective Tissue Membranes
The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints. A synovial membrane is...
Connective Tissue Membranes
The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints. A synovial membrane is...