Intestinal Cells-on-Chip for Permeability Studies

To accurately measure permeability of compounds in the intestine, there is a need for preclinical in vitro models that accurately represent the specificity, integrity and complexity of the human small intestinal barrier. Intestine-on-chip systems hold considerable promise as testing platforms, but several characteristics still require optimization and further development.

An established intestine-on-chip model for tissue explants was adopted for intestinal cell monolayer culture. A 3D-printed culture disc was designed to allow cell culture in static conditions and subsequent permeability studies in a dynamic environment. Membrane characteristics and standardized read-outs were investigated and compared to traditional permeability studies under static conditions.

By starting cultures outside the chip in conventional wells plates, the new cell disc design could support accurate cell monolayer formation for both Caco-2 and human enteroids. When transferred to the chip with laminar flow, there was accurate detection of barrier integrity (FD4 and Cascade Blue) and permeability (atenolol/antipyrine). Both flow and membrane characteristics had a significant impact on permeability outcomes.

This novel intestinal cell-on-chip system offers large flexibility for intestinal permeability studies, although it still requires validation with more compounds to reveal its full potential.