Gut-on-a-chip for exploring the transport mechanism of Hg(II)

Animal models and static cultures of intestinal epithelial cells are commonly used platforms for exploring mercury ion (Hg(II)) transport. However, they cannot reliably simulate the human intestinal microenvironment and monitor cellular physiology in situ; thus, the mechanism of Hg(II) transport in the human intestine is still unclear. Here, a gut-on-a-chip integrated with transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) sensors and electrochemical sensors is proposed for dynamically simulating the formation of the physical intestinal barrier and monitoring the transport and absorption of Hg(II) in situ. The cellular microenvironment was recreated by applying fluid shear stress (0.02 dyne/cm(2)) and cyclic mechanical strain (1%, 0.15 Hz). Hg(II) absorption and physical damage to cells were simultaneously monitored by electrochemical and TEER sensors when intestinal epithelial cells were exposed to different concentrations of Hg(II) mixed in culture medium. Hg(II) absorption increased by 23.59% when tensile strain increased from 1% to 5%, and the corresponding expression of Piezo1 and DMT1 on the cell surface was upregulated.

Automated summary

Animal models and static cultures of intestinal epithelial cells are commonly used to study Hg(II) transport, but they are unable to accurately simulate the human intestinal microenvironment. This study proposes the use of a gut-on-a-chip with TEER sensors and electrochemical sensors to dynamically simulate the intestinal barrier and monitor Hg(II) transport in real-time. The cellular microenvironment was recreated using fluid shear stress and cyclic mechanical strain, and the absorption of Hg(II) and the expression of Piezo1 and DMT1 were monitored.