Exploring microfluidics-based organoid interactions through analysis of albumin secretion

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Organoid Technology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Organoids-on-a-chip enable disease modeling and drug screening by facilitating organoid interactions.
• Chip design's impact on these interactions is poorly understood due to limited knowledge of communication mediators and dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how chip design influences organoid-on-a-chip interaction dynamics.
• To identify mediators of communication and quantify interaction intensity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an organoids-on-a-chip system with liver organoids.
• Measured albumin secretion as an indicator of interaction intensity.
• Varied organoid arrangements, flow rates, well depth, vascular barriers, and media volume.
• Identified communication mediators using experimental and theoretical approaches.

Main Results:

• Upstream organoid type significantly affects target organoid dynamics; adjacent upstream adipose organoids enhance liver organoid function.
• Interaction intensity is independent of physical distance but modulated by flow rate, well depth, vascular barriers, and media volume.
• Non-linear relationships were observed between system parameters and interaction dynamics.
• Exosomes were identified as key communication mediators.

Conclusions:

• Chip design, particularly the type and arrangement of neighboring organoids, critically influences organoid-on-a-chip interactions.
• Exosomes play a vital role in mediating communication within these systems.
• Albumin secretion serves as a quantifiable measure of interaction intensity, aiding in optimizing chip design for specific applications.