Biomimetic proximal tubular membrane for thedevelopment of a structured kidney-on-chip

Advancements in biomedical research are significantly hindered by the reliance on in vivo animal studies due to high costs and ethical constraints, as well as by the substantial financial and time demands of clinical trials. Recently, organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies have emerged as a promising alternative, enabling the investigation of pathophysiological processes in vitro through the use of mammalian cells and customized microfluidic devices [1]. In this study, we present a novel kidney-on-a-chip device specifically designed to replicate the proximal tubular reabsorption process. A key feature of this model is the spatial separation of tubular epithelial cells and endothelial cells through a hydrogel-based membrane, mimicking the physiological microenvironment more accurately. This innovative approach has the potential to improve in vitro modeling of kidney function and disease, offering a valuable platform to study pathophysiological mechanisms.