The living chamber, an innovative and customizable 3D in vitro model for bone implant evaluation

Commonly used acronym: Living chamber

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Scope of the method

The Method relates to
  • Animal health
  • Human health
  • Other
In vitro modelling, replacing animal models
The Method is situated in
  • Basic Research
  • Translational - Applied Research
Type of method
  • In vitro - Ex vivo
This method makes use of
  • Human derived cells / tissues / organs
Specify the type of cells/tissues/organs
Immortalized human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells

Description

Method keywords
  • bone-cartilage unit
  • 3D in vitro model
  • 3D printing
  • 3D Cell culture
  • 3D model
  • differentiation
  • mesenchymal stem cell
  • bone model
Scientific area keywords
  • in vitro 3D modelling
  • Bone tissue engineering
  • 3D organoid models
  • differentiation
  • organ-on-chip
  • 3D culture
Method description

A proprietary designed lab-scale bioreactor containing a substrate for adherent cells and customized conditions, enabling the differentiation of MSCs into osteogenic lineage. The cell-substrate interaction can be assessed after prolonged 3D cell culture. Customizable and tunable to the experimental needs and cells, for example for testing bone-implants for bone-related studies (testing implant coatings, implant materials, etc.) in healthy and diseased conditions.

Lab equipment

Standard lab-scale in vitro Eukaryotic cell culture equipment, materials and facilities.

Method status
  • Internally validated

Pros, cons & Future potential

Advantages

3D-environment representing better the in vivo situation. Results obtained in the Living Chamber in a perfusion set-up are superior compared to cells cultured and differentiated either onto TCP support or even 3D support. Allows the use of human cells with relevant physiological function instead of xenogeneic (i.e. animal origin) cells . Bioreactors are customizable to the needs and the intended use (size, functionalities, (parallel) testing needs). Approach enables in vitro prioritization and thus avoids iterative animal testing in so far possible.

Challenges

Cell donor variability is not controllable in this methods, similarly at what is observed for other established methods. While this reflects a clinical reality, for the sake of reproducibility the initial testing may be done using immortalized modified MSC lines, allowing a robust evaluation of the tested parameters before initiating testing with primary cells.

Modifications

Modification can easily be done as the bioreactor and cell support is customizable to the desired experimental needs.

Future & Other applications

Cartilage repair research, in vitro cell expansion, organoid culture, production of biologicals, etc.

Contact person

Anaïs Schaschkow

Organisations

Antleron
Bio-incubator Leuven
Belgium
Flemish Region