3D vascularized proximal tubule model improves cell phenotype

Cultured proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) under physiological flow in a 3D channel embedded within an engineered extracellular matrix (ECM) that is colocalized with an adjacent channel lined with human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) to mimic a peritubular capillary. After a period of maturation under continuous flow, both cell types were harvested for RNAseq analyses. Our results revealed that PTECs' transcriptional profile is highly dependent on both the matrix on which these cells are cultured and the flow conditions. By contrast, endothelial cells exhibit greater phenotypic plasticity and are affected by matrix, flow, and co-culture conditions. Overall design: PTECs and HGECs were grown alone or in co-culture in three different condition: plastic, embedded within an engineered extracellular matrix, or embedded within an engineered extracellular matrix under flow. RNA was extracted and RNA-seq performed.