Physiological replication of the glomerulus using a triple culture microphysiological system.

to compare the incremental advances that each cell type brings to the phenotype of the others in the glomerulus we compared TGCs (triculture), BGCs (co-culture), and plate cultures (monocultures) The function of the glomerulus depends on complex cell-cell/matrix interactions and replication of this in vitro would aid biological understanding in both health and disease. Previous models have not fully reflected all cell types and interactions present. We report here the development of a microphysiological system which contains all resident renal cell types in an anatomically relevant manner. We demonstrate functionally appropriate retention of albumin in the system along with providing a detailed transcriptomic analysis of the contributing biology of each cell type. The important role of mesangial cells is shown in promoting the health and maturity of the other cell types. AdditionallyAdditionally, we demonstrate that glomerular cells in simple 2D culture exhibit a state more reflective of human disease than previously recognised. This in vitro model will expand our capability to investigate glomerular biology in a more translatable manner by the inclusion of the important mesangial cell compartment. The five main glomerulus chip groups of this study are mature (podocytes) and immature (IM cells) tri-culture chips, biculture chips (only GECs and podocytes) and control IM seeded chips. In addition we have 3 main monoculture groups of endothelial cells, mesangial cells, and podocytes