Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Construction of a Human Aorta Smooth Muscle Cell Organ-On-A-Chip Model for Recapitulating Biomechanical Strain in the Aortic Wall
Published on: July 6, 2022
Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip for modeling coronary artery disease: Recent applications, limitations and potential
Yanke Wang1,2, Andong Liu3,4, Xuting Zhang1,2
1Children's Heart Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Insights
This review analyzes coronary artery disease (CAD) on-a-chip models, focusing on unique coronary pathophysiology. It highlights microphysiological systems (MPS) for modeling CAD, advancing diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Organ-on-a-Chip Technology
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) involves complex pathologies affecting coronary arteries.
- Existing organ-on-a-chip (OOC) reviews often overlook coronary-specific features.
- A dedicated analysis of CAD-focused microphysiological systems (MPS) is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically analyze microphysiological systems (MPS) engineered as coronary artery disease (CAD)-on-a-chip platforms.
- To focus exclusively on systems recapitulating unique coronary artery pathophysiology.
- To establish a knowledge framework for advancing CAD-on-a-chip technology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of vessel-on-a-chip (VOC) models for CAD.
- Analysis of OOC fabrication materials and techniques relevant to coronary arteries.
- Evaluation of CAD-specific pathological processes modeled in vitro.
Main Results:
- Identified and analyzed VOC models designed for coronary-specific challenges.
- Detailed the application of VOCs in modeling endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis.
- Highlighted the recapitulation of distinct geometric, inflammatory, and hemodynamic factors in coronary arteries.
Conclusions:
- Organ-on-a-chip technology offers significant potential for CAD research.
- CAD-on-a-chip platforms require specific designs to address coronary pathophysiology.
- Further development is crucial for clinical translation in CAD diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) encompasses a spectrum of pathologies driven by atherosclerosis, trauma, inflammation, or other etiologies that compromise coronary morphology and function, ultimately leading to myocardial ischemia and infarction. While organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology has emerged as a transformative tool for cardiovascular research, existing reviews have consistently marginalized coronary-specific pathophysiology, treating it merely as a subset of generic vascular biology. This review presents the first dedicated, critical analysis of microphysiological system (MPS) engineered explicitly as CAD-on-a-chip platform. We deliberately depart from generalized vascular models by exclusively evaluating systems designed to recapitulate the unique coronary-specific hallmarks: distinct geometric constraints, pro-inflammatory microenvironments, and dynamic hemodynamic shear stress profiles inherent to human coronary arteries. Following a concise introduction to OOC fabrication materials and techniques, we systematically present vessel-on-a-chip (VOC) models derived from diverse cellular sources. We then emphasize the biomedical applications of VOC in CAD field and analyze key CAD-specific pathological processes, including flow-mediated endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerotic plaque formation, plaque rupture-induced atherothrombosis, and coronary artery aneurysm. Finally, we critically discuss current limitations and outline future directions of OOC technology in CAD research. This review by focusing on the specific pathological features of CAD and the requirements for in vitro modeling, aim to establish a targeted knowledge framework to promote the clinical transformation of VOC technology in CAD diagnosis and treatment.
