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• Liver-Organ-On-A-Chip Model

Creative Biolabs' Liver-On-A-Chip Model Development Service delivers tailored ex vivo hepatic constructs replicating critical parenchymal architecture and metabolic functions. This technology enables robust pharmacological screening, hepatotoxin evaluation, and pathophysiological simulation through the physiomimetic reproduction of hepatocellular networks.

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Background

Multiple experimental hepatic systems facilitate the investigation of liver disease mechanisms and pharmacological development. Current methodologies employ primary hepatocytes from cadaveric sources, chimeric mouse models generated from human pluripotent stem cells (embryonic or induced), and cancer-derived cell lines, with organoid models gaining recent prominence. While cadaveric hepatocytes and chimeric systems exhibit rapid functional decline in monolayer cultures alongside constrained availability, pluripotent stem-derived hepatocyte variants and 3D organoids demonstrate enhanced architectural organization and metabolic competence. Nevertheless, these advanced models still show functional deterioration in conventional static culture environments.

Fig 1. The development and application of Liver-on-a-chip (LOC).^1,4

Liver-On-A-Chip

Liver-on-a-chip systems represent advanced microphysiological platforms that replicate critical hepatic structures and functions. These platforms conventionally incorporate human parenchymal cells (primary or immortalized lineages) within three-dimensional matrix configurations replicating hepatic histoarchitecture. Fundamental design paradigms involve zonal cellular patterning, intercellular signaling networks, and integration of mechanobiological stimuli. Advanced biofabrication techniques enable the generation of customizable acellular matrices preserving hepatic cytoarchitectural fidelity and functional homeostasis.

Fig 2. The preparation process and internal structure of Liver-on-a-chip (LOC).^1,4

Perfusion-enabled microcirculatory networks sustain bidirectional molecular transport, catabolite removal, and physiologically relevant shear gradients—capabilities transcending conventional monolayer limitations. Such configurations exhibit extended maintenance of hepatocellular polarization and bioenergetic competence, enabling high-fidelity simulation of sinusoidal geometries and lobular zonation. Novel platforms validate applicability within preclinical liver toxicity assessments, particularly evaluating drug metabolism routes and systemic organ interactions—thereby positioning these systems as viable substitutes for animal-based testing frameworks.

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) emerges as a chronic metabolic condition marked by ectopic lipid accumulation (steatosis) stemming from caloric excess, endocrine disruptions, and modifiable behavioral factors. Disease evolution activates pro-inflammatory pathways that intensify fat deposition, advancing to steatohepatitis and subsequent fibrotic tissue restructuring. In vitro NAFLD models mimic this disease cascade through the exposure of liver cells to specific lipid formulations within time-regulated culture systems.

Fig 3. NAFLD chips.^2,4

• Alcoholic liver disease (ALD)

In hepatic tissue, ethanol undergoes enzymatic processing via alcohol dehydrogenase, first yielding toxic acetaldehyde before conversion to acetate. Chronic ethanol exposure disrupts this detoxification sequence, driving oxidative injury through reactive oxygen species (ROS) overabundance and diminished antioxidant defenses. Investigators now utilize microphysiological systems integrating quiescent stellate cells and fenestrated endothelium within perfusable architectures, enabling precise simulation of alcohol-induced fibrogenesis dynamics.

• Other Liver Disease Chips

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a critical worldwide health burden, yet a mechanistic understanding of viral persistence faces technical hurdles. Current experimental systems inadequately replicate the complete HBV life cycle while contending with its stringent species tropism. Recent advances in microfluidic-based hepatic platforms aim to overcome these limitations through enhanced biomimicry of liver physiology.

Advantages

Liver-on-a-Chip (LoC) systems constitute a paradigm-shifting innovation in preclinical modeling, offering five critical improvements over conventional hepatocyte suspension or monolayer cultures:

1. Sustained metabolic competency with preserved enzymatic and transporter functions
2. Enhanced cellular longevity, maintaining hepatocyte viability beyond traditional culture lifespans
3. Physiomimetic perfusion dynamics replicating in vivo hemodynamic parameters
4. Architectural fidelity through the incorporation of stromal components, liver-specific ECM constituents, and zonated multicellular organization
5. Vascular integration enabling perfusable microvasculature and endothelial interactions

Applications

Liver-on-a-chip models have a wide range of applications, including:

• Drug Discovery and Development: Evaluating drug metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity.
• Disease Modeling: Studying liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and hepatitis. As one article notes, microfluidic organ-on-a-chip platforms are being used for studying liver diseases in vitro, with the potential in understanding disease pathophysiology and evaluating drug efficacy.
• Toxicology Testing: Assessing the hepatotoxicity of drugs, chemicals, and environmental toxins.
• Basic Research: Investigating fundamental liver biology and function.

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Why Choose Us?

Creative Biolabs' Liver-On-A-Chip Model Development Service offers several key advantages:

• Physiological Relevance: Our models closely mimic the in vivo microenvironment of the liver, providing more accurate and predictive results compared to traditional 2D cell cultures. As highlighted in recent research, organ-on-a-chip systems offer a promising alternative to conventional two-dimensional cultures because they provide cues like perfusion, shear stress, and three-dimensional cell-cell communication.
• Customization: We tailor each Liver-On-A-Chip model to your specific research needs, ensuring that it meets your exact requirements.
• Expertise: Our team comprises experienced scientists with deep expertise in microfluidics, cell culture, and liver biology.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: We utilize state-of-the-art microfluidic platforms and advanced cell culture techniques to create high-quality Liver-On-A-Chip models.
• Comprehensive Support: We provide ongoing support throughout the project, from initial consultation to final data analysis and reporting.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions from potential customers interested in our Liver-On-A-Chip Model Development Service:

Recommended Products

For researchers facing challenges in initiating microfluidic cellular investigations de novo, Creative Biolabs' engineered cell-culture systems deliver integrated solutions that streamline workflow bottlenecks.

Our chips offer the freedom to choose the cell seeding channels and perfusion conditions, enabling various cell culture modes.

For more information about Creative Biolabs products and services, please contact us.

References

1. Liu, Jie, et al. "Construction of in vitro liver-on-a-chip models and application progress." BioMedical Engineering OnLine 23.1 (2024): 33.
2. Qiu, Linjie, et al. "Recent advances in liver‐on‐chips: Design, fabrication, and applications." Smart Medicine 2.1 (2023): e20220010.
3. Deng, Jiu, et al. "Engineered liver-on-a-chip platform to mimic liver functions and its biomedical applications: A review." Micromachines 10.10 (2019): 676.
4. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.