In vivo–mimicking microfluidic perfusion culture of pancreatic islet spheroids

Yesl Jun, Jae Seo Lee, Seongkyun Choi, Ji Hun Yang, Maike Sander, Seok Chung, Sang Hoon Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Native pancreatic islets interact with neighboring cells by establishing three-dimensional (3D) structures, and are surrounded by perfusion at an interstitial flow level. However, flow effects are generally ignored in islet culture models, although cell perfusion is known to improve the cell microenvironment and to mimic in vivo physiology better than static culture systems. Here, we have developed functional islet spheroids using a microfluidic chip that mimics interstitial flow conditions with reduced shear cell damage. Dynamic culture, compared to static culture, enhanced islet health and maintenance of islet endothelial cells, reconstituting the main component of islet extracellular matrix within spheroids. Optimized flow condition allowed localization of secreted soluble factors near spheroids, facilitating diffusion-mediated paracrine interactions within islets, and enabled long-term maintenance of islet morphology and function for a month. The proposed model can aid islet preconditioning before transplantation and has potential applications as an in vitro model for diabetic drug testing.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaax4520
JournalScience Advances
Volume5
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Nov 27

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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