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Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Culture Model of Skeletal Muscle Tissue with Atrophy Induced by Dexamethasone

by Kazunori Shimizu, Riho Genma, Yuuki Gotou, Sumire Nagasaka and Hiroyuki Honda

Bioengineering 2017, 4(2), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4020056 - 15 Jun 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 10324

Drug screening systems for muscle atrophy based on the contractile force of cultured skeletal muscle tissues are required for the development of preventive or therapeutic drugs for atrophy. This study aims to develop a muscle atrophy model by inducing atrophy in normal muscle [...] Read more.

Drug screening systems for muscle atrophy based on the contractile force of cultured skeletal muscle tissues are required for the development of preventive or therapeutic drugs for atrophy. This study aims to develop a muscle atrophy model by inducing atrophy in normal muscle tissues constructed on microdevices capable of measuring the contractile force and to verify if this model is suitable for drug screening using the contractile force as an index. Tissue engineered skeletal muscles containing striated myotubes were prepared on the microdevices for the study. The addition of 100 µM dexamethasone (Dex), which is used as a muscle atrophy inducer, for 24 h reduced the contractile force significantly. An increase in the expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 in the tissues treated with Dex was established. A decrease in the number of striated myotubes was also observed in the tissues treated with Dex. Treatment with 8 ng/mL Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-I) for 24 h significantly increased the contractile force of the Dex-induced atrophic tissues. The same treatment, though, had no impact on the force of the normal tissues. Thus, it is envisaged that the atrophic skeletal muscle tissues induced by Dex can be used for drug screening against atrophy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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Review

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3374 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microdevice Platform for In Vitro Nervous System and Its Disease Model

by Jin-Ha Choi, Hyeon-Yeol Cho and Jeong-Woo Choi

Bioengineering 2017, 4(3), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4030077 - 13 Sep 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 10509

Abstract

The development of precise microdevices can be applied to the reconstruction of in vitro human microenvironmental systems with biomimetic physiological conditions that have highly tunable spatial and temporal features. Organ-on-a-chip can emulate human physiological functions, particularly at the organ level, as well as [...] Read more.

The development of precise microdevices can be applied to the reconstruction of in vitro human microenvironmental systems with biomimetic physiological conditions that have highly tunable spatial and temporal features. Organ-on-a-chip can emulate human physiological functions, particularly at the organ level, as well as its specific roles in the body. Due to the complexity of the structure of the central nervous system and its intercellular interaction, there remains an urgent need for the development of human brain or nervous system models. Thus, various microdevice models have been proposed to mimic actual human brain physiology, which can be categorized as nervous system-on-a-chip. Nervous system-on-a-chip platforms can prove to be promising technologies, through the application of their biomimetic features to the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This article reviews the microdevices for nervous system-on-a-chip platform incorporated with neurobiology and microtechnology, including microfluidic designs that are biomimetic to the entire nervous system. The emulation of both neurodegenerative disorders and neural stem cell behavior patterns in micro-platforms is also provided, which can be used as a basis to construct nervous system-on-a-chip. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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5968 KiB

Open AccessReview

3D Bioprinting and In Vitro Cardiovascular Tissue Modeling

by Jinah Jang

Bioengineering 2017, 4(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4030071 - 18 Aug 2017

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 14835

Abstract

Numerous microfabrication approaches have been developed to recapitulate morphologically and functionally organized tissue microarchitectures in vitro; however, the technical and operational limitations remain to be overcome. 3D printing technology facilitates the building of a construct containing biomaterials and cells in desired organizations and [...] Read more.

Numerous microfabrication approaches have been developed to recapitulate morphologically and functionally organized tissue microarchitectures in vitro; however, the technical and operational limitations remain to be overcome. 3D printing technology facilitates the building of a construct containing biomaterials and cells in desired organizations and shapes that have physiologically relevant geometry, complexity, and micro-environmental cues. The selection of biomaterials for 3D printing is considered one of the most critical factors to achieve tissue function. It has been reported that some printable biomaterials, having extracellular matrix-like intrinsic microenvironment factors, were capable of regulating stem cell fate and phenotype. In particular, this technology can control the spatial positions of cells, and provide topological, chemical, and complex cues, allowing neovascularization and maturation in the engineered cardiovascular tissues. This review will delineate the state-of-the-art 3D bioprinting techniques in the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering and their applications in translational medicine. In addition, this review will describe 3D printing-based pre-vascularization technologies correlated with implementing blood perfusion throughout the engineered tissue equivalent. The described engineering method may offer a unique approach that results in the physiological mimicry of human cardiovascular tissues to aid in drug development and therapeutic approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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Open AccessReview

Tumor Microenvironment on a Chip: The Progress and Future Perspective

by Jungho Ahn, Yoshitaka J. Sei, Noo Li Jeon and YongTae Kim

Bioengineering 2017, 4(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4030064 - 21 Jul 2017

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 11401

Abstract

Tumors develop in intricate microenvironments required for their sustained growth, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in the malignant or drug resistant nature of tumors, becoming a promising therapeutic target. Microengineered physiological systems capable of mimicking tumor environments are [...] Read more.

Tumors develop in intricate microenvironments required for their sustained growth, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in the malignant or drug resistant nature of tumors, becoming a promising therapeutic target. Microengineered physiological systems capable of mimicking tumor environments are one emerging platform that allows for quantitative and reproducible characterization of tumor responses with pathophysiological relevance. This review highlights the recent advancements of engineered tumor microenvironment systems that enable the unprecedented mechanistic examination of cancer progression and metastasis. We discuss the progress and future perspective of these microengineered biomimetic approaches for anticancer drug prescreening applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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Open AccessReview

Microtechnology-Based Multi-Organ Models

by Seung Hwan Lee and Jong Hwan Sung

Bioengineering 2017, 4(2), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4020046 - 21 May 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 9577

Abstract

Drugs affect the human body through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) processes. Due to their importance, the ADME processes need to be studied to determine the efficacy and side effects of drugs. Various in vitro model systems have been developed and used [...] Read more.

Drugs affect the human body through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) processes. Due to their importance, the ADME processes need to be studied to determine the efficacy and side effects of drugs. Various in vitro model systems have been developed and used to realize the ADME processes. However, conventional model systems have failed to simulate the ADME processes because they are different from in vivo, which has resulted in a high attrition rate of drugs and a decrease in the productivity of new drug development. Recently, a microtechnology-based in vitro system called “organ-on-a-chip” has been gaining attention, with more realistic cell behavior and physiological reactions, capable of better simulating the in vivo environment. Furthermore, multi-organ-on-a-chip models that can provide information on the interaction between the organs have been developed. The ultimate goal is the development of a “body-on-a-chip”, which can act as a whole body model. In this review, we introduce and summarize the current progress in the development of multi-organ models as a foundation for the development of body-on-a-chip. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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2020 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Microfluidics for Organ on Chip Simulations

by Aziz Ur Rehman Aziz, Chunyang Geng, Mengjie Fu, Xiaohui Yu, Kairong Qin and Bo Liu

Bioengineering 2017, 4(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4020039 - 04 May 2017

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 12804

Abstract

A multichannel three-dimensional chip of a microfluidic cell culture which enables the simulation of organs is called an “organ on a chip” (OC). With the integration of many other technologies, OCs have been mimicking organs, substituting animal models, and diminishing the time and [...] Read more.

A multichannel three-dimensional chip of a microfluidic cell culture which enables the simulation of organs is called an “organ on a chip” (OC). With the integration of many other technologies, OCs have been mimicking organs, substituting animal models, and diminishing the time and cost of experiments which is better than the preceding conventional in vitro models, which make them imperative tools for finding functional properties, pathological states, and developmental studies of organs. In this review, recent progress regarding microfluidic devices and their applications in cell cultures is discussed to explain the advantages and limitations of these systems. Microfluidics is not a solution but only an approach to create a controlled environment, however, other supporting technologies are needed, depending upon what is intended to be achieved. Microfluidic platforms can be integrated with additional technologies to enhance the organ on chip simulations. Besides, new directions and areas are mentioned for interested researchers in this field, and future challenges regarding the simulation of OCs are also discussed, which will make microfluidics more accurate and beneficial for biological applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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Open AccessReview

3D Printing of Organs-On-Chips

by Hee-Gyeong Yi, Hyungseok Lee and Dong-Woo Cho

Bioengineering 2017, 4(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4010010 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 145 | Viewed by 25022

Abstract

Organ-on-a-chip engineering aims to create artificial living organs that mimic the complex and physiological responses of real organs, in order to test drugs by precisely manipulating the cells and their microenvironments. To achieve this, the artificial organs should to be microfabricated with an [...] Read more.

Organ-on-a-chip engineering aims to create artificial living organs that mimic the complex and physiological responses of real organs, in order to test drugs by precisely manipulating the cells and their microenvironments. To achieve this, the artificial organs should to be microfabricated with an extracellular matrix (ECM) and various types of cells, and should recapitulate morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and functions according to the native organ. A promising strategy is 3D printing, which precisely controls the spatial distribution and layer-by-layer assembly of cells, ECMs, and other biomaterials. Owing to this unique advantage, integration of 3D printing into organ-on-a-chip engineering can facilitate the creation of micro-organs with heterogeneity, a desired 3D cellular arrangement, tissue-specific functions, or even cyclic movement within a microfluidic device. Moreover, fully 3D-printed organs-on-chips more easily incorporate other mechanical and electrical components with the chips, and can be commercialized via automated massive production. Herein, we discuss the recent advances and the potential of 3D cell-printing technology in engineering organs-on-chips, and provides the future perspectives of this technology to establish the highly reliable and useful drug-screening platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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1665 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vasculature-On-A-Chip for In Vitro Disease Models

by Seunggyu Kim, Wanho Kim, Seongjin Lim and Jessie S. Jeon

Bioengineering 2017, 4(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering4010008 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 113 | Viewed by 18604

Abstract

Vascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential biological process. As the vasculature is involved in various fundamental physiological phenomena and closely related to several human diseases, it is imperative that substantial research is conducted on characterizing the vasculature and its [...] Read more.

Vascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential biological process. As the vasculature is involved in various fundamental physiological phenomena and closely related to several human diseases, it is imperative that substantial research is conducted on characterizing the vasculature and its related diseases. A significant evolution has been made to describe the vascularization process so that in vitro recapitulation of vascularization is possible. The current microfluidic systems allow elaborative research on the effects of various cues for vascularization, and furthermore, in vitro technologies have a great potential for being applied to the vascular disease models for studying pathological events and developing drug screening platforms. Here, we review methods of fabrication for microfluidic assays and inducing factors for vascularization. We also discuss applications using engineered vasculature such as in vitro vascular disease models, vasculature in organ-on-chips and drug screening platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Organs-on-Chips for In Vitro Disease Models)

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