Human Cervix Chip: A Preclinical Model for Studying the Role of the Cervical Mucosa and Microbiome in Female Reproductive Health

Abstract

Advancements in women's reproductive health have been hindered by insufficient knowledge and the underrepresentation of women in research, leading to symptom-focused care with poor outcomes. Modeling female reproductive biology and disease pathophysiology has been challenging due to the complexity and dynamic nature of the female organs. Here, we briefly review recent advancements made with a new in vitro microfluidic organ-on-a-chip model of the human cervix (Cervix Chip) that faithfully mimics key features of the cervix, including mucus production and physiological responses to hormonal, environmental, and microbial stimuli. We also discuss how this preclinical platform can provide a way to obtain unique insights into the role of mucosal immunity, genetic and risk factors, as well as microbiome and pathogen interactions in human cervix health and disease, while bridging knowledge gaps in fertility and pregnancy-related conditions. By enabling preclinical drug screening and accelerating translational research, the Cervix Chip holds the potential to improve the development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and ultimately, the sexual and reproductive health of millions of women globally.