Synovium-on-a-Chip Simulates Osteoarthritis
From Queen Mary University of London: “The current study presents a multi-channel, microfluidic, organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) model, comprising a 3D configuration of the human synovium and its associated vasculature, with biomechanical and inflammatory stimulation, built upon a commercially available OOAC platform. Healthy human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (hFLS) were co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with appropriate matrix proteins, separated by a flexible, porous membrane. . . . Synovial inflammation was initiated through the addition of interleukin−1β (IL−1β) into the synovium channel resulting in the increased secretion of inflammatory and catabolic mediators, interleukin-6 (IL−6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP−1), as well as the synovial fluid constituent protein, hyaluronan. . . . . Thus, this model offers the first human synovium organ-chip suitable for widespread adoption to understand synovial joint disease mechanisms, permit the identification of novel therapeutic targets and support pre-clinical testing of therapies.” MORE
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