Organ Model: Brain

Introduction

The maintenance or disruption of tissue barriers is an essential part of the pathophysiology of many diseases. The ability to quantitatively characterize tissue barrier is critical in the evaluation of barrier integrity and function.

This protocol is to be used to assess the permeability of an Organ-Chip’s endothelial-epithelial barrier. Apparent permeability (Papp) of tracer molecules is determined by dosing the inlet of one channel, collecting the effluent of both channels, and calculating the amount of compound that crossed through the membrane over time. See full method below and associated Papp Calculator (EC004) for data analysis.

Introduction

The GSH-Glo™ Assay is a luminescent-based assay for the detection and quantification of glutathione (GSH), an antioxidant that can prevent damage to cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, and lipid peroxides. GSH is involved in the detoxification of both xenobiotic and endogenous compounds. A change in GSH levels can be used as an indicator of toxicity.

Introduction

This protocol covers quantification of glycogen on our Organ-Chips.

Introduction

Goal: Quantify lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels from Emulate Organ-Chip effluent samples.

Introduction

Goal: Quantify hepcidin from Emulate Organ-Chip effluent.

Introduction

Goal: Quantify cholesterol from Organ-Chip effluent.

Introduction

Goal: Quantify albumin levels from Emualte human Organ-Chip effluent samples.

Introduction

All fluorescent or confocal imaging of cells can be done directly in the Organ-Chip. You do not need to disassemble the chip, or isolate the membrane in order to image cells. The membrane is located 0.8 mm from the bottom of the chip and is visually accessible by most objectives on most microscopes, although the use of a long-working distance objective lens is recommended for optimal results. The chip is made of an optically transparent material that will not cause any significant distortion of your signal or image; it does not auto fluoresce.

Introduction

Goal: Perform bright-field and phase-contrast imaging of cells in Emulate Organ-Chips.