TY  - JOUR
TI  - A Human Cervix Chip for Preclinical Studies of Female Reproductive Biology
AU  - Izadifar, Zohreh 
AU  - Ingber, Donald E.
VL  - 15
IS  - 7
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/04/05
SP  - e5262
C1  - Bio-protocol 2025;15:e5262
DO  - 10.21769/BioProtoc.5262
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21769/BioProtoc.5262
AB  - Pathological conditions of the cervix ranging from cervical cancer to structural dysfunction associated with preterm labor all have limited treatment options. Thus, there is a need for physiologically relevant preclinical models that recapitulate the structure and function of this human organ. Here, we describe a protocol for engineering and studying a highly functional in vitro model of the human cervix that is composed of a commercially available, dual-channel, microfluidic, organ-on-a-chip (Organ Chip) device lined by primary cervical epithelial (CE) cells interfaced across a porous membrane with cervical stromal cells. The provision of dynamic and customized media flow through both the epithelial and stromal compartments results in cell growth and differentiation, including the accumulation of a thick mucus layer overlying the epithelium. The resulting model closely mimics the structure, epithelial barrier, mucus composition and structure, and biochemical properties of the in vivo human cervix, as well as its responsiveness to female hormones, pH, and microbiome. This Cervix Chip protocol also includes noninvasive techniques for longitudinal monitoring of the live 3D tissue model. The Cervix Chip offers a powerful preclinical platform for replicating in vivo cervical physiology, studying disease mechanisms, and facilitating the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics.
KW  - Organ-on-a-Chip
KW  - Cervix
KW  - Mucus
KW  - Cervical epithelium
KW  - Cervical stroma
KW  - Dynamic flow
JF  - Bio-protocol
SN  - 2331-8325
PB  - Bio-protocol LLC.
BIO101  - False