Microfluidic Tools to Model, Monitor, and Modulate the Gut-brain Axis

Overview

Journal Biomicrofluidics

Publisher American Institute of Physics

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2025 Mar 10

PMID 40060273

Authors

Hyehyun Kim

Gregory Girardi

Allison Pickle

Testaverde S Kim

Erkin Seker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The gut-brain axis (GBA) connects the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system (CNS) via the peripheral nervous system and humoral (e.g., circulatory and lymphatic system) routes. The GBA comprises a sophisticated interaction between various mammalian cells, gut microbiota, and systemic factors. This interaction shapes homeostatic and pathophysiological processes and plays an important role in the etiology of many disorders including neuropsychiatric conditions. However, studying the underlying processes of GBA , where numerous confounding factors exist, is challenging. Furthermore, conventional models fall short of capturing the GBA anatomy and physiology. Microfluidic platforms with integrated sensors and actuators are uniquely positioned to enhance models by representing the anatomical layout of cells and allowing to monitor and modulate the biological processes with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we first briefly describe microfluidic technologies and their utility in modeling the CNS, vagus nerve, gut epithelial barrier, blood-brain barrier, and their interactions. We then discuss the challenges and opportunities for each model, including the use of induced pluripotent stem cells and incorporation of sensors and actuator modalities to enhance the capabilities of these models. We conclude by envisioning research directions that can help in making the microfluidics-based GBA models better-suited to provide mechanistic insight into pathophysiological processes and screening therapeutics.

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