A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment
Skin-on-a-chip models provide physiologically relevant platforms for studying diseases and drug evaluation, replicating the native skin structures and functions more accurately than traditional 2D or simple 3D cultures. However, challenges remain in creating models suitable for microneedling applica...
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Materials Today Bio |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006424004605 |
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| author | Natan R. Barros Raehui Kang Jinjoo Kim Menekse Ermis Han-Jun Kim Mehmet R. Dokmeci Junmin Lee |
| author_facet | Natan R. Barros Raehui Kang Jinjoo Kim Menekse Ermis Han-Jun Kim Mehmet R. Dokmeci Junmin Lee |
| author_sort | Natan R. Barros |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Skin-on-a-chip models provide physiologically relevant platforms for studying diseases and drug evaluation, replicating the native skin structures and functions more accurately than traditional 2D or simple 3D cultures. However, challenges remain in creating models suitable for microneedling applications and monitoring, as well as developing skin cancer models for analysis and targeted therapy. Here, we developed a human skin/skin cancer-on-a-chip platform within a microfluidic device using bioprinting/bioengineering techniques. The fabricated skin models include vascular, dermal, and epidermal layers, demonstrating increased functionalities and maturation of dermal (Collagen I & Fibronectin for 7 days) as well as epidermal (Filaggrin & Keratin 10, 14, and 19 at the air-liquid interface (ALI) for 21 days) layers. Histological analysis confirmed the formation of a differentiated epidermis and ridges at the dermal-epidermal junction in our model, closely resembling native skin tissue. Melanoma cells were embedded approximately 400 μm beneath the epidermis to simulate tumor invasion into the dermis. The platform was further used to test doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microneedles (MNs) for localized transdermal drug delivery targeting melanoma. The DOX-loaded MNs penetrated uniformly to a depth of approximately 600 μm, effectively reaching the melanoma cells. Drug delivery via MNs demonstrated significantly higher efficiency than diffusion through media flow, confirming the practicality and robustness of the proposed model for future therapeutic applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6191ee698e3246e2b77b0e3b2d2a1933 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-0064 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials Today Bio |
| spelling | doaj-art-6191ee698e3246e2b77b0e3b2d2a19332025-01-17T04:52:06ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-02-0130101399A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatmentNatan R. Barros0Raehui Kang1Jinjoo Kim2Menekse Ermis3Han-Jun Kim4Mehmet R. Dokmeci5Junmin Lee6Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA; National Laboratory of Bioscience (LNBio), National Center of Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, 13083-100, Brazil; Corresponding author. Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.Division of Interdisciplinary Bioscience & Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 790-784, Republic of KoreaTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USATerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USATerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA; College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, Republic of KoreaTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USATerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA; Division of Interdisciplinary Bioscience & Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea; Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea.Skin-on-a-chip models provide physiologically relevant platforms for studying diseases and drug evaluation, replicating the native skin structures and functions more accurately than traditional 2D or simple 3D cultures. However, challenges remain in creating models suitable for microneedling applications and monitoring, as well as developing skin cancer models for analysis and targeted therapy. Here, we developed a human skin/skin cancer-on-a-chip platform within a microfluidic device using bioprinting/bioengineering techniques. The fabricated skin models include vascular, dermal, and epidermal layers, demonstrating increased functionalities and maturation of dermal (Collagen I & Fibronectin for 7 days) as well as epidermal (Filaggrin & Keratin 10, 14, and 19 at the air-liquid interface (ALI) for 21 days) layers. Histological analysis confirmed the formation of a differentiated epidermis and ridges at the dermal-epidermal junction in our model, closely resembling native skin tissue. Melanoma cells were embedded approximately 400 μm beneath the epidermis to simulate tumor invasion into the dermis. The platform was further used to test doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microneedles (MNs) for localized transdermal drug delivery targeting melanoma. The DOX-loaded MNs penetrated uniformly to a depth of approximately 600 μm, effectively reaching the melanoma cells. Drug delivery via MNs demonstrated significantly higher efficiency than diffusion through media flow, confirming the practicality and robustness of the proposed model for future therapeutic applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006424004605Skin-on-a-chipBioprintingBiofabricationMicroneedlingSkin cancerGelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) |
| spellingShingle | Natan R. Barros Raehui Kang Jinjoo Kim Menekse Ermis Han-Jun Kim Mehmet R. Dokmeci Junmin Lee A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment Materials Today Bio Skin-on-a-chip Bioprinting Biofabrication Microneedling Skin cancer Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) |
| title | A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment |
| title_full | A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment |
| title_fullStr | A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment |
| title_short | A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment |
| title_sort | human skin on a chip platform for microneedling driven skin cancer treatment |
| topic | Skin-on-a-chip Bioprinting Biofabrication Microneedling Skin cancer Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006424004605 |
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