Devices and methods for simulating a function of a liver tissue
AssigneeEmulate, Inc.
InventorsGeraldine Hamilton, Kyung Jin Jang, Suzzette Haney, Janey Ronxhi, Konstantia Kodella, Hyoungshin Park, Josiah Sliz, Debora Barreiros Petropolis, Daniel Levner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein relates to devices for simulating a function of a tissue and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the devices can be used to simulate a function of a human liver tissue. In some embodiments, the devices can be used to simulate a function of a dog liver tissue. Endothelial cell culture media for long-term culture of endothelial cells are also described herein.
Claims25
1-12. (canceled)
A microfluidic device comprising a membrane, said membrane comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface comprising hepatocytes and said bottom surface comprising endothelial cells and a gel, wherein said gel is between the hepatocytes and said top surface of said membrane, between the endothelial cells and the bottom surface of said membrane, or both.
16-17. (canceled)
A method of culturing cells, comprising:
- a) providing a microfluidic device comprising a membrane, said membrane comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
- b) seeding viable dog hepatocytes on said top surface and viable dog endothelial cells on said bottom surface;
- and c) culturing said seeded cells under flow conditions such that said cells remain viable for at least 28 days.
20-34. (canceled)
A method of culturing cells, comprising
- a) providing
- i) a microfluidic device comprising a top chamber, a bottom chamber, and a membrane, said membrane comprising a top surface and a bottom surface,
- ii) hepatocytes and endothelial cells and
- iii) material capable of forming a gel;
- b) introducing said material into said microfluidic device such that a gel forms in said top chamber, in said bottom chamber, or in both chambers;
- and
- c) introducing, in any order,
- i) said hepatocytes into said top chamber such that said hepatocytes either affix to said top surface of said membrane or said gel is between said hepatocytes and said top surface of said membrane, and
- ii) said endothelial cells such that said endothelial cells either affix to said bottom surface of said membrane or said gel is between said endothelial cells and said bottom surface of said membrane;
- and
- d) culturing said cells under flow conditions with media.
(canceled)
41-46. (canceled)
A method of culturing cells, comprising
- a) providing
- i) a microfluidic device comprising a top chamber, a bottom chamber, one or more gels, and a membrane, said membrane comprising a top surface and a bottom surface,
- ii) hepatocytes and endothelial cells;
- b) introducing, in any order,
- i) said hepatocytes into said top chamber such that said hepatocytes either affix to said top surface of said membrane or said gel is between said hepatocytes and said top surface of said membrane, and
- ii) said endothelial cells such that said endothelial cells either affix to said bottom surface of said membrane or said gel is between said endothelial cells and said bottom surface of said membrane;
- and
- c) culturing said cells under flow conditions with media.
49-69. (canceled)
A method for culturing cells, comprising:
- a) providing a fluidic device comprising a first structure defining a top chamber, a second structure defining a bottom chamber, and a membrane located at an interface region between the top chamber and the bottom chamber, the membrane including a top side facing toward the top chamber and a bottom side facing toward the bottom chamber;
- b) seeding hepatocytes in said top chamber and endothelial cells in said bottom chamber;
- c) perfusing at least one of the top chamber and bottom chamber with at least one fluid;
- d) disposing a test compound into said fluid, or introducing a second fluid comprising said test compound, such that hepatocytes, endothelial cells or both come in contact with said test compound;
- and
- e) stopping said perfusing in said top chamber, said bottom chamber, or both, so as to increase the residence time of said test compound within said fluidic device.
73-76. (canceled)
A method for culturing cells, comprising:
- a) providing a fluidic device comprising a first structure defining a top chamber, a second structure defining a bottom chamber, and a membrane located at an interface region between the top chamber and the bottom chamber, the membrane including a top side facing toward the top chamber and a bottom side facing toward the bottom chamber;
- b) seeding hepatocytes in said top chamber and endothelial cells in said bottom chamber;
- c) perfusing at least one of the top chamber or bottom chamber with at least one fluid;
- d) disposing a test compound into said fluid such that hepatocytes, endothelial cells or both come in contact with said test compound;
- and
- e) recirculating said fluid so as to increase the interaction time of said test compound with said cells.
79-84. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.