-
Biosensors Dec 2022Organs-on-chips (OoCs) are microfluidic devices that contain bioengineered tissues or parts of natural tissues or organs and can mimic the crucial structures and... (Review)
Review
Organs-on-chips (OoCs) are microfluidic devices that contain bioengineered tissues or parts of natural tissues or organs and can mimic the crucial structures and functions of living organisms. They are designed to control and maintain the cell- and tissue-specific microenvironment while also providing detailed feedback about the activities that are taking place. Bioprinting is an emerging technology for constructing artificial tissues or organ constructs by combining state-of-the-art 3D printing methods with biomaterials. The utilization of 3D bioprinting and cells patterning in OoC technologies reinforces the creation of more complex structures that can imitate the functions of a living organism in a more precise way. Here, we summarize the current 3D bioprinting techniques and we focus on the advantages of 3D bioprinting compared to traditional cell seeding in addition to the methods, materials, and applications of 3D bioprinting in the development of OoC microsystems.
Topics: Tissue Engineering; Bioprinting; Microphysiological Systems; Biocompatible Materials; Printing, Three-Dimensional
PubMed: 36551101
DOI: 10.3390/bios12121135 -
Biomicrofluidics Jul 2020Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) is a very ambitious emerging technology with a high potential to revolutionize many medical and industrial sectors, particularly in... (Review)
Review
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) is a very ambitious emerging technology with a high potential to revolutionize many medical and industrial sectors, particularly in preclinical-to-clinical translation in the pharmaceutical arena. , the function of the organ(s) is orchestrated by a complex cellular structure and physiochemical factors within the extracellular matrix and secreted by various types of cells. The trend in modeling is to simplify the complex anatomy of the human organ(s) to the minimal essential cellular structure "micro-anatomy" instead of recapitulating the full cellular milieu that enables studying the absorption, metabolism, as well as the mechanistic investigation of drug compounds in a "systemic manner." However, in order to reflect the human physiology and hence to be able to bridge the gap between the and data, simplification should not compromise the physiological relevance. Engineering principles have long been applied to solve medical challenges, and at this stage of organ-on-a-chip technology development, the work of biomedical engineers, focusing on device engineering, is more important than ever to accelerate the technology transfer from the academic lab bench to specialized product development institutions and to the increasingly demanding market. In this paper, instead of presenting a narrative review of the literature, we systemically present a synthesis of the best available organ-on-a-chip technology from what is found, what has been achieved, and what yet needs to be done. We emphasized mainly on the requirements of a "good model that meets the industrial need" in terms of the structure (micro-anatomy), functions (micro-physiology), and characteristics of the device that hosts the biological model. Finally, we discuss the biological model-device integration supported by an example and the major challenges that delay the OOC technology transfer to the industry and recommended possible options to realize a functional organ-on-a-chip system.
PubMed: 32699563
DOI: 10.1063/5.0011583 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2017The long-term maintenance of an organism's homeostasis and health relies on the accurate regulation of organ-organ communication. Recently, there has been growing... (Review)
Review
The long-term maintenance of an organism's homeostasis and health relies on the accurate regulation of organ-organ communication. Recently, there has been growing interest in using the gastrointestinal tract to elucidate the regulatory programs that underlie the complex interactions between organs. Data obtained in this field have dramatically improved our understanding of how organ-organ communication contributes to the regulation of various aspects of the intestine, including its metabolic and physiological status. However, although research uncovering regulatory programs associated with interorgan communication has provided key insights, the underlying mechanisms have not been extensively explored. In this review, we highlight recent findings describing gut-neighbor and neighbor-neighbor communication models in adults and larvae, respectively, with a special focus on how a range of critical strategies concerning continuous interorgan communication and adjustment can be used to manipulate different aspects of biological processes. Given the high degree of similarity between the and mammalian intestinal epithelia, it can be anticipated that further analyses of the gastrointestinal tract will facilitate the discovery of similar mechanisms underlying organ-organ communication in other mammalian organs, such as the human intestine.
PubMed: 28421183
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2017.00029 -
EMBO Reports Sep 2019Multidirectional interactions between metabolic organs in the periphery and the central nervous system have evolved concomitantly with multicellular organisms to... (Review)
Review
Multidirectional interactions between metabolic organs in the periphery and the central nervous system have evolved concomitantly with multicellular organisms to maintain whole-body energy homeostasis and ensure the organism's adaptation to external cues. These interactions are altered in pathological conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Bioactive peptides and proteins, such as hormones and cytokines, produced by both peripheral organs and the central nervous system, are key messengers in this inter-organ communication. Despite the early discovery of the first hormones more than 100 years ago, recent studies taking advantage of novel technologies have shed light on the multiple ways used by cells in the body to communicate and maintain energy balance. This review briefly summarizes well-established concepts and focuses on recent advances describing how specific proteins and peptides mediate the crosstalk between gut, brain, and other peripheral metabolic organs in order to maintain energy homeostasis. Additionally, this review outlines how the improved knowledge about these inter-organ networks is helping us to redefine therapeutic strategies in an effort to promote healthy living and fight metabolic disorders and other diseases.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Energy Metabolism; Homeostasis; Humans; Models, Biological; Obesity
PubMed: 31423716
DOI: 10.15252/embr.201947903 -
Ageing Research Reviews Apr 2024Aging is a complex multidimensional, progressive remodeling process affecting multiple organ systems. While many studies have focused on studying aging across multiple... (Review)
Review
Aging is a complex multidimensional, progressive remodeling process affecting multiple organ systems. While many studies have focused on studying aging across multiple organs, assessment of the contribution of individual organs to overall aging processes is a cutting-edge issue. An organ's biological age might influence the aging of other organs, revealing a multiorgan aging network. Recent data demonstrated a similar yet asynchronous inter-organs and inter-individuals progression of aging, thereby providing a foundation to track sources of declining health in old age. The integration of multiple omics with common clinical parameters through artificial intelligence has allowed the building of organ-specific aging clocks, which can predict the development of specific age-related diseases at high resolution. The peculiar individual aging-trajectory, referred to as ageotype, might provide a novel tool for a personalized anti-aging, preventive medicine. Here, we review data relative to biological aging clocks and omics-based data, suggesting different organ-specific aging rates. Additional research on longitudinal data, including young subjects and analyzing sex-related differences, should be encouraged to apply ageotyping analysis for preventive purposes in clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Aging; Biological Clocks
PubMed: 38447609
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102253 -
Birth Defects Research. Part C, Embryo... Mar 2012A number of organs have the intrinsic ability to regenerate, a distinctive feature that varies among organisms. Organ regeneration is a process not fully yet understood.... (Review)
Review
A number of organs have the intrinsic ability to regenerate, a distinctive feature that varies among organisms. Organ regeneration is a process not fully yet understood. However, when its underlying mechanisms are unraveled, it holds tremendous therapeutic potential for humans. In this review, we chose to summarize the repair and regenerative potential of the following organs and organ systems: thymus, adrenal gland, thyroid gland, intestine, lungs, heart, liver, blood vessels, germ cells, nervous system, eye tissues, hair cells, kidney and bladder, skin, hair follicles, pancreas, bone, and cartilage. For each organ, a review of the following is presented: (a) factors, pathways, and cells that are involved in the organ's intrinsic regenerative ability, (b) contribution of exogenous cells - such as progenitor cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and bone marrow-, adipose- and umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells - in repairing and regenerating organs in the absence of an innate intrinsic regenerative capability, (c) and the progress made in engineering bio-artificial scaffolds, tissues, and organs. Organ regeneration is a promising therapy that can alleviate humans from diseases that have not been yet cured. It is also superior to already existing treatments that utilize exogenous sources to substitute for the organ's lost structure and/or function(s).
Topics: Animals; Humans; Models, Animal; Organ Specificity; Regeneration; Regenerative Medicine; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 22457174
DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21006 -
Journal of Medical Toxicology :... Dec 2018The gap between the number of patients on transplant waiting lists and patients receiving transplants is growing. Use of organs from donors who have died following... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The gap between the number of patients on transplant waiting lists and patients receiving transplants is growing. Use of organs from donors who have died following pesticide exposure remains controversial. This study reviews the literature related to transplantation from this group.
METHODS
A literature search was undertaken on PubMed using the following keywords: 'insecticide', 'pesticide', 'rodenticide', 'organophosphate', 'carbamate', 'paraquat', 'poisoning', 'toxicity', 'overdose', 'intoxication', 'ingestion', 'organ donation or procurement', 'transplant', 'allograft transplant', and 'expanded criteria organ donation'; 21 specific pesticides/insecticides were also added to the search; the indexes for EAPCCT/NACCT meeting abstracts 2008-2017 were also searched. Identified publications were reviewed and if described human donation/transplantation of ≥ 1 solid organ(s), the following was extracted: (i) compound(s) ingested; (ii) donor demographics; (iii) organ(s) transplanted; and (iv) graft function at follow-up.
RESULTS
Ten papers were identified describing 20 fatalities (1999-2017) related to the following pesticide exposures: organophosphate, 8 cases; aldicarb, 4; paraquat, 3; parathion, 1; malathion, 1; carbofuran/carbamate, 1; carbamate, 1; and brodifacoum, 1 and no further cases were identified from EAPCCT/NACCT abstracts. Donors were aged 12-50 (25.9 ± 11.9) years. Forty-four organs were transplanted: 28 kidneys, 7 livers, 6 corneas, and 3 hearts. Forty recipients had outcome reported: 3 (7.5%) patients died, 3 (7.5%) had graft failure/dysfunction and 34 (85.0%) had good graft function. Overall survival with good function was 96%, 71%, 83%, and 67% for kidneys, livers, corneas and hearts respectively.
CONCLUSION
Review of the published literature suggests that solid organ donation following exposure to a pesticide is associated with good short-to-medium-term graft organ function following transplantation, particularly for transplanted kidneys and corneas.
Topics: Humans; Organ Transplantation; Pesticides; Tissue Donors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29987646
DOI: 10.1007/s13181-018-0673-5 -
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental... Oct 2022Although tissue homeostasis-the steady state-implies stability, our organs are in a state of continual, large-scale cellular flux. This flux underpins an organ's ability... (Review)
Review
Although tissue homeostasis-the steady state-implies stability, our organs are in a state of continual, large-scale cellular flux. This flux underpins an organ's ability to homeostatically renew, to non-homeostatically resize upon altered functional demand, and to return to homeostasis after resizing or injury-in other words, to be dynamic. Here, I examine the basic unit of organ-scale cell dynamics: the cellular life cycle of birth, differentiation, and death. Focusing on epithelial organs, I discuss how spatial patterns and temporal kinetics of life cycle stages depend upon lineage organization and tissue architecture. I review how signaling between stages coordinates life cycle dynamics to enforce homeostasis, and I highlight how particular stages are transiently unbalanced to drive organ resizing or repair. Finally, I offer that considering organs as a collective of not cells but rather cell life cycles provides a powerful vantage for deciphering homeostatic and non-homeostatic tissue states.
Topics: Cell Differentiation; Homeostasis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35850152
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120420-114855 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2019The shortage of donor organs is a major global concern. Organ failure requires the transplantation of functional organs. Donor's organs are preserved for variable... (Review)
Review
The shortage of donor organs is a major global concern. Organ failure requires the transplantation of functional organs. Donor's organs are preserved for variable periods of warm and cold ischemia time, which requires placing them into a preservation device. Ischemia and reperfusion damage the organs, due to the lack of oxygen during the ischemia step, as well as the oxidative stress during the reperfusion step. Different methodologies are developed to prevent or to diminish the level of injuries. Preservation solutions were first developed to maximize cold static preservation, which includes the addition of several chemical compounds. The next chapter of organ preservation comes with the perfusion machine, where mechanical devices provide continuous flow and oxygenation ex vivo to the organs being preserved. In the addition of inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase and inhibitors of the proteasome, mesenchymal stem cells began being used 13 years ago to prevent or diminish the organ's injuries. Mesenchymal stem cells (e.g., bone marrow stem cells, adipose derived stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells) have proven to be powerful tools in repairing damaged organs. This review will focus upon the use of some bone marrow stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells on preventing or decreasing the injuries due to ischemia-reperfusion.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Organ Preservation; Organ Preservation Solutions; Oxidative Stress; Oxygen; Perfusion; Reperfusion Injury
PubMed: 31694240
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215511