A three-dimensional immunocompetent intestine-on-chip model as in vitro platform for functional and microbial interaction studies

Biomaterials. 2019 Nov:220:119396. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119396. Epub 2019 Aug 2.

Abstract

Alterations of the microbial composition in the gut and the concomitant dysregulation of the mucosal immune response are associated with the pathogenesis of opportunistic infections, chronic inflammation, and inflammatory bowel disease. To create a platform for the investigation of the underlying mechanisms, we established a three-dimensional microphysiological model of the human intestine. This model resembles organotypic microanatomical structures and includes tissue resident innate immune cells exhibiting features of mucosal macrophages and dendritic cells. The model displays the physiological immune tolerance of the intestinal lumen to microbial-associated molecular patterns and can, therefore, be colonised with living microorganisms. Functional studies on microbial interaction between probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus and the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans show that pre-colonization of the intestinal lumen of the model by L. rhamnosus reduces C. albicans-induced tissue damage, lowers its translocation, and limits fungal burden. We demonstrate that microbial interactions can be efficiently investigated using the in vitro model creating a more physiological and immunocompetent microenvironment. The intestinal model allows a detailed characterisation of the immune response, microbial pathogenicity mechanisms, and quantification of cellular dysfunction attributed to alterations in the microbial composition.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Gut-on-chip; Lactobacilli; Microbiota; Microphysiological system; Mucosal immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence* / drug effects
  • Intestines / immunology
  • Intestines / microbiology*
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / drug effects
  • Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / physiology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Microbial Interactions* / drug effects
  • Microvilli / drug effects
  • Microvilli / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Perfusion
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers
  • Cadherins
  • Cytokines
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • cadherin 5