Bridging barriers: advances and challenges in modeling biological barriers and measuring barrier integrity in organ-on-chip systems.
Lab Chip
; 24(13): 3199-3225, 2024 Jun 25.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38689569
ABSTRACT
Biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, skin, and intestinal mucosal barrier play key roles in homeostasis, disease physiology, and drug delivery - as such, it is important to create representative in vitro models to improve understanding of barrier biology and serve as tools for therapeutic development. Microfluidic cell culture and organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems enable barrier modelling with greater physiological fidelity than conventional platforms by mimicking key environmental aspects such as fluid shear, accurate microscale dimensions, mechanical cues, extracellular matrix, and geometrically defined co-culture. As the prevalence of barrier-on-chip models increases, so does the importance of tools that can accurately assess barrier integrity and function without disturbing the carefully engineered microenvironment. In this review, we first provide a background on biological barriers and the physiological features that are emulated through in vitro barrier models. Then, we outline molecular permeability and electrical sensing barrier integrity assessment methods, and the related challenges specific to barrier-on-chip implementation. Finally, we discuss future directions in the field, as well important priorities to consider such as fabrication costs, standardization, and bridging gaps between disciplines and stakeholders.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Lab Chip
Journal subject:
BIOTECNOLOGIA
/
QUIMICA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Canada