A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology
Pathological conditions of the cervix ranging from cervical cancer to structural dysfunction associated with preterm labor all have limited treatment options. Thus, there is a need for physiologically relevant preclinical models that recapitulate the structure and function of this human organ. Here,...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bio-protocol LLC
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Bio-Protocol |
| Online Access: | https://bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?id=5262&type=0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849700640790413312 |
|---|---|
| author | Zohreh Izadifar Donald Ingber |
| author_facet | Zohreh Izadifar Donald Ingber |
| author_sort | Zohreh Izadifar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Pathological conditions of the cervix ranging from cervical cancer to structural dysfunction associated with preterm labor all have limited treatment options. Thus, there is a need for physiologically relevant preclinical models that recapitulate the structure and function of this human organ. Here, we describe a protocol for engineering and studying a highly functional in vitro model of the human cervix that is composed of a commercially available, dual-channel, microfluidic, organ-on-a-chip (Organ Chip) device lined by primary cervical epithelial (CE) cells interfaced across a porous membrane with cervical stromal cells. The provision of dynamic and customized media flow through both the epithelial and stromal compartments results in cell growth and differentiation, including the accumulation of a thick mucus layer overlying the epithelium. The resulting model closely mimics the structure, epithelial barrier, mucus composition and structure, and biochemical properties of the in vivo human cervix, as well as its responsiveness to female hormones, pH, and microbiome. This Cervix Chip protocol also includes noninvasive techniques for longitudinal monitoring of the live 3D tissue model. The Cervix Chip offers a powerful preclinical platform for replicating in vivo cervical physiology, studying disease mechanisms, and facilitating the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3f93dca6b2254a44a65e0073947e8e36 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2331-8325 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Bio-protocol LLC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bio-Protocol |
| spelling | doaj-art-3f93dca6b2254a44a65e0073947e8e362025-08-20T03:18:12ZengBio-protocol LLCBio-Protocol2331-83252025-04-0115710.21769/BioProtoc.5262A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive BiologyZohreh Izadifar0Donald Ingber1Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USADepartment of Urology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USAWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USAVascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USAPathological conditions of the cervix ranging from cervical cancer to structural dysfunction associated with preterm labor all have limited treatment options. Thus, there is a need for physiologically relevant preclinical models that recapitulate the structure and function of this human organ. Here, we describe a protocol for engineering and studying a highly functional in vitro model of the human cervix that is composed of a commercially available, dual-channel, microfluidic, organ-on-a-chip (Organ Chip) device lined by primary cervical epithelial (CE) cells interfaced across a porous membrane with cervical stromal cells. The provision of dynamic and customized media flow through both the epithelial and stromal compartments results in cell growth and differentiation, including the accumulation of a thick mucus layer overlying the epithelium. The resulting model closely mimics the structure, epithelial barrier, mucus composition and structure, and biochemical properties of the in vivo human cervix, as well as its responsiveness to female hormones, pH, and microbiome. This Cervix Chip protocol also includes noninvasive techniques for longitudinal monitoring of the live 3D tissue model. The Cervix Chip offers a powerful preclinical platform for replicating in vivo cervical physiology, studying disease mechanisms, and facilitating the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics.https://bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?id=5262&type=0 |
| spellingShingle | Zohreh Izadifar Donald Ingber A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology Bio-Protocol |
| title | A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology |
| title_full | A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology |
| title_fullStr | A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology |
| title_short | A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology |
| title_sort | human cervix chip for preclinical studies of female reproductive biology |
| url | https://bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?id=5262&type=0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zohrehizadifar ahumancervixchipforpreclinicalstudiesoffemalereproductivebiology AT donaldingber ahumancervixchipforpreclinicalstudiesoffemalereproductivebiology AT zohrehizadifar humancervixchipforpreclinicalstudiesoffemalereproductivebiology AT donaldingber humancervixchipforpreclinicalstudiesoffemalereproductivebiology |