Young Alexandria N, Moyle-Heyrman Georgette, Kim J Julie, Burdette Joanna E
1 College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
2 College of Science & Technology, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, Green Bay, WI 54311, USA.
Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2017 Nov;242(17):1690-1700. doi: 10.1177/1535370217697386. Epub 2017 Mar 8.
Microphysiologic systems (MPS), including new organ-on-a-chip technologies, recapitulate tissue microenvironments by employing specially designed tissue or cell culturing techniques and microfluidic flow. Such systems are designed to incorporate physiologic factors that conventional 2D or even 3D systems cannot, such as the multicellular dynamics of a tissue-tissue interface or physical forces like fluid sheer stress. The female reproductive system is a series of interconnected organs that are necessary to produce eggs, support embryo development and female health, and impact the functioning of non-reproductive tissues throughout the body. Despite its importance, the human reproductive tract has received less attention than other organ systems, such as the liver and kidney, in terms of modeling with MPS. In this review, we discuss current gaps in the field and areas for technological advancement through the application of MPS. We explore current MPS research in female reproductive biology, including fertilization, pregnancy, and female reproductive tract diseases, with a focus on their clinical applications. Impact statement This review discusses existing microphysiologic systems technology that may be applied to study of the female reproductive tract, and those currently in development to specifically investigate gametes, fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and diseases of the female reproductive tract. We focus on the clinical applicability of these new technologies in fields such as assisted reproductive technologies, drug testing, disease diagnostics, and personalized medicine.
微生理系统（MPS），包括新型芯片器官技术，通过采用专门设计的组织或细胞培养技术以及微流体流动来重现组织微环境。此类系统旨在纳入传统二维甚至三维系统无法纳入的生理因素，例如组织 - 组织界面的多细胞动态或诸如流体切应力等物理力。女性生殖系统是一系列相互连接的器官，对于产生卵子、支持胚胎发育和女性健康以及影响全身非生殖组织的功能而言必不可少。尽管其至关重要，但在利用MPS进行建模方面，人类生殖道受到的关注少于肝脏和肾脏等其他器官系统。在本综述中，我们讨论了该领域当前存在的差距以及通过应用MPS实现技术进步的领域。我们探讨了女性生殖生物学中当前的MPS研究，包括受精、妊娠和女性生殖道疾病，重点关注其临床应用。影响声明 本综述讨论了可应用于女性生殖道研究的现有微生理系统技术，以及目前正在开发的专门用于研究配子、受精、胚胎发育、妊娠和女性生殖道疾病的技术。我们重点关注这些新技术在辅助生殖技术、药物测试、疾病诊断和个性化医疗等领域的临床适用性。
