Shi Jingyan, Li Jianing, Ma Jingyun, Yang Xiaoling, Xue Chang, Zhang Yuan, Gao Xinghua
Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China.
Biomaterials. 2026 Jan;324:123480. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123480. Epub 2025 Jun 5.
Microphysiological systems, including organ-on-a-chip systems, can achieve in vitro biomimicry of tissues and organs using microfluidic three-dimensional cell culture devices. These technologies can compensate for the shortcomings of animal models in basic disease research, and can even replace them in some cases. For example, they have demonstrated significant advantages and potential in the evaluation and screening of drugs for diabetes. In this study, we developed an islet microphysiological system based on a fibrous material and microfluidic spinning. This system includes pancreatic islet-loaded microfibers prepared using controllable pneumatic valves combined with microfluidic spinning technology and a microfluidic system comprising microfibers assembled with vascular endothelial cells. The results showed that the prepared microfibers loaded a large number of monodisperse pancreatic islet clusters with good cell activity and function. Microfibers were assembled with vascular endothelial cells in a microfluidic system, providing a 3D environment that mimicked natural blood vessels and supported high-throughput cell loading. Microfibers are vascularized by endothelial cells that grow on their surfaces. The microfluidic system simulated capillary blood flow and nutrient exchange, thereby enhancing the physiological relevance of the model. We evaluated the diabetes treatment drug Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) using this system. Immunofluorescence staining, RT-qPCR, and ELISA confirmed the glucose-lowering and cardiovascular protective effects of GLP-1. This islet microphysiological system provides a novel platform for studying diabetes, screening new drugs, and promoting personalized medicine. The ability of this system to simulate physiological conditions through the synergy of biophysical and biochemical factors makes it a powerful tool for biomedical research.
微生理系统，包括芯片器官系统，可以使用微流控三维细胞培养装置在体外实现组织和器官的生物模拟。这些技术可以弥补动物模型在基础疾病研究中的不足，甚至在某些情况下可以取代它们。例如，它们在糖尿病药物的评估和筛选中已显示出显著优势和潜力。在本研究中，我们开发了一种基于纤维材料和微流控纺丝的胰岛微生理系统。该系统包括使用可控气动阀结合微流控纺丝技术制备的负载胰岛的微纤维，以及一个由与血管内皮细胞组装在一起的微纤维组成的微流控系统。结果表明，制备的微纤维负载了大量具有良好细胞活性和功能的单分散胰岛簇。微纤维在微流控系统中与血管内皮细胞组装在一起，提供了一个模拟天然血管并支持高通量细胞加载的三维环境。微纤维通过生长在其表面的内皮细胞实现血管化。微流控系统模拟了毛细血管血流和营养物质交换，从而增强了模型的生理相关性。我们使用该系统评估了糖尿病治疗药物胰高血糖素样肽-1（GLP-1）。免疫荧光染色、RT-qPCR和ELISA证实了GLP-1的降血糖和心血管保护作用。这种胰岛微生理系统为研究糖尿病、筛选新药和推动个性化医疗提供了一个新平台。该系统通过生物物理和生化因素的协同作用来模拟生理条件的能力使其成为生物医学研究的有力工具。
