Main
Conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures were developed almost a century ago1. Despite their demonstrated value in biomedical research, they cannot support the tissue-specific, differentiated functions of many cell types or accurately predict in vivo tissue functions and drug activities2. These limitations have led to increased interest in more complex 2D models, such as those that incorporate multiple cell types or involve cell patterning, and in three-dimensional (3D) models, which better represent the spatial and chemical complexity of living tissues. 3D cell cultures, developed over 50 years ago3, usually rely on hydrogels, composed of either natural extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules or synthetic polymers, which induce cells to polarize and to interact with neighboring cells. They can take many forms, including cells randomly interspersed in ECM or clustered in self-assembling cellular microstructures known as organoids. 3D models have been very useful for studying the molecular basis of tissue function and better capture signaling pathways and drug responsiveness in some disease states compared with 2D models4, 5, 6, 7. Nonetheless, they also have limitations. For example, organoids are highly variable in size and shape, and it is difficult to maintain cells in consistent positions in these structures for extended analysis. Another drawback of 3D models is that functional analysis of entrapped cells—for example, to quantify transcellular transport, absorption or secretion—is often hampered by the difficulty of sampling luminal contents, and it is difficult to harvest cellular components for biochemical and genetic analysis. In addition, many systems lack multiscale architecture and tissue-tissue interfaces, such as the interface between vascular endothelium and surrounding connective tissue and parenchymal cells, which are crucial to the function of nearly all organs. Furthermore, cells are usually not exposed to normal mechanical cues, including fluid shear stress, tension and compression, which influence organ development and function in health and disease8, 9. The absence of fluid flow also precludes the study of how cultured cells interact with circulating blood and immune cells.
Microfluidic organs-on-chips offer the possibility of overcoming all of these limitations. In this Perspective, we discuss the value of this new approach to scientists in basic and applied research. We also describe the technical challenges that must be overcome to develop organs-on-chips into robust, predictive models of human physiology and disease, and into tools for drug discovery and development.
หลักConventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures were developed almost a century ago1. Despite their demonstrated value in biomedical research, they cannot support the tissue-specific, differentiated functions of many cell types or accurately predict in vivo tissue functions and drug activities2. These limitations have led to increased interest in more complex 2D models, such as those that incorporate multiple cell types or involve cell patterning, and in three-dimensional (3D) models, which better represent the spatial and chemical complexity of living tissues. 3D cell cultures, developed over 50 years ago3, usually rely on hydrogels, composed of either natural extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules or synthetic polymers, which induce cells to polarize and to interact with neighboring cells. They can take many forms, including cells randomly interspersed in ECM or clustered in self-assembling cellular microstructures known as organoids. 3D models have been very useful for studying the molecular basis of tissue function and better capture signaling pathways and drug responsiveness in some disease states compared with 2D models4, 5, 6, 7. Nonetheless, they also have limitations. For example, organoids are highly variable in size and shape, and it is difficult to maintain cells in consistent positions in these structures for extended analysis. Another drawback of 3D models is that functional analysis of entrapped cells—for example, to quantify transcellular transport, absorption or secretion—is often hampered by the difficulty of sampling luminal contents, and it is difficult to harvest cellular components for biochemical and genetic analysis. In addition, many systems lack multiscale architecture and tissue-tissue interfaces, such as the interface between vascular endothelium and surrounding connective tissue and parenchymal cells, which are crucial to the function of nearly all organs. Furthermore, cells are usually not exposed to normal mechanical cues, including fluid shear stress, tension and compression, which influence organ development and function in health and disease8, 9. The absence of fluid flow also precludes the study of how cultured cells interact with circulating blood and immune cells.Microfluidic อวัยวะ-บนชิมีความเป็นไปได้ของการเอาชนะข้อจำกัดเหล่านี้ทั้งหมด ในมุมมองนี้ เราหารือค่าของวิธีการใหม่นี้นักวิทยาศาสตร์ในการวิจัยพื้นฐาน และประยุกต์ นอกจากนี้เรายังกล่าวถึงความท้าทายทางเทคนิคที่จะต้องเอาชนะเพื่อพัฒนาอวัยวะบนชิปรุ่นทนทาน ทำนายโรคและสรีรวิทยาของมนุษย์ และเครื่องมือสำหรับการค้นพบยาเสพติดและการพัฒนา
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..