Issue 15, 2023

A microphysiological system for studying human bone biology under simultaneous control of oxygen tension and mechanical loading

Abstract

Throughout life, continuous remodelling is part of human bone biology and depends on the simultaneous action of physicochemical parameters such as oxygen tension and varying mechanical load. Thus, suitable model systems are needed, which allow concomitant modulation of these factors to recapitulate in vivo bone formation. Here, we report on the development of a first microphysiological system (MPS) that enables perfusion, environment-independent regulation of the oxygen tension as well as precise quantification and control of mechanical load. To demonstrate the use of the MPS for future studies on the (patho-)biology of bone, we built a simplified 3D model for early de novo bone formation. Primary human osteoblasts (OBs), which are the key players during this process, were seeded onto type I collagen scaffolds and cultured in the MPS. We could not only monitor cell viability and metabolism of OBs under varied physicochemical conditions, but also visualise the mineralisation of the extracellular matrix. In summary, we present a MPS that uniquely combines the independent control of physicochemical parameters and allows investigation of their influence on bone biology. We consider our MPS highly valuable to gain deeper insights into (patho-)physiological processes of bone formation in the future.

Graphical abstract: A microphysiological system for studying human bone biology under simultaneous control of oxygen tension and mechanical loading

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 feb 2023
Accepted
06 jun 2023
First published
03 jul 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2023,23, 3405-3423

A microphysiological system for studying human bone biology under simultaneous control of oxygen tension and mechanical loading

J. Scheinpflug, C. T. Höfer, S. S. Schmerbeck, M. Steinfath, J. Doka, Y. A. Tesfahunegn, N. Violet, K. Renko, K. Gulich, T. John, M. R. Schneider, E. Wistorf, G. Schönfelder and F. Schulze, Lab Chip, 2023, 23, 3405 DOI: 10.1039/D3LC00154G

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