Liver Microphysiological Systems for Predicting and Evaluating Drug Effects

Liver plays a major role in drug metabolism and is one of the main sites of drug adverse effects. Microphysiological systems (MPS), also known as organs-on-a-chip, are a class of microfluidic platforms that recreate properties of tissue microenvironments. Among different properties, the liver microenvironment is three-dimensional, fluid flows around its cells, and different cell types regulate its function. Liver MPS aim to recreate these properties and enable drug testing and measurement of functional endpoints. Tests with these systems have demonstrated their potential for predicting clinical drug effects. Properties of liver MPS that improve the physiology of cell culture are reviewed, specifically focusing on the importance of recreating a physiological microenvironment to evaluate and model drug effects. Advances in modeling hepatic function by leveraging MPS are addressed, noting the need for standardization in the use, quality control, and interpretation of data from these systems.