Microfluidic Organ-on-a-Chip Models of Human Intestine

Abstract

Organs-on-chips are microfluidic cell culture systems that recapitulate the structure, function, physiology, and pathology of living human organs in vitro. In this article, we review recent development of various human intestine-on-a-chip models and their potential value for disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. Microfluidic organ-on-a- chip models of human intestine have been developed and used to study intestinal physiology and pathophysiology. In this article, we review this field and describe how microfluidic Intestine Chips offer new capabilities not possible with conventional culture systems or organoid cultures, including the ability to analyze contributions of individual cellular, chemical, and physical control parameters one-at-a-time; to coculture human intestinal cells with commensal microbiome for extended times; and to create human-relevant disease models. We also discuss potential future applications of human Intestine Chips, including how they might be used for drug development and personalized medicine.