Characterization of the Emulate Liver Chip Microphysiological System

Organ-on-a-chip technologies, otherwise known as microphysiological systems, have been gaining popularity as models that are highly predictive measures of human outcomes for a particular drug or compound. In this report, we have adopted the technology created by Emulate (Boston, MA) to be part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Centers (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD) predictive toxicology program. The Emulate human liver chip provides the Center a unique means of achieving physiologically relevant liver data without the immediate need for an animal model. We can quickly and easily generate tissue effluent data and obtain cellular images of the entire liver environment. Importantly, this technology is amendable to different organs, including the lung, brain, and gut. Here, we validate the liver chip system using the drug methotrexate, which develops a well characterized liver phenotype. The hope moving forward is that the use of organoids created in physiologically relevant ex vivo platforms, such as the Emulate liver chip, will enhance the Department of Defenses analytical capabilities for rapid threat assessment.