Development of on-chip coculture system for cytotoxicity test using Caco-2 and Hep G2

Abstract

We developed a chip-based coculture system for cytotoxicity test, as our continuous effort to develop a multi-functional micro culture device realized by integration of fluidic control. The culture zone in the device was divided into two compartments separated by a microporous membrane through which substances in culture medium can freely come-and-go to induce the mutual interactions between the cells cultured at each compartment. In this work, it was examined that 1) coculture and 2) cytotoxicity model through oral intake, using Caco-2 and Hep G2 cell as a model cell of small intestine and liver respectively. As a result of test 1), Hep G2 cells cocultured with Caco-2 show same albumin secretion activity as the one not cocultured with Caco-2 cells. As a result of test 2), The cytotoxicity of caffeine and paraquat on Hep G2 cells was successfully measured with and without association of a selective chemical barrier function of Caco-2 cells. © 2009 The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.