A Biomaterial Multi-Organoid Platform with Enhanced Convective Transport for Modeling Liver–Pancreas Crosstalk in Obesity
발표자
김지수 (인천대학교)
연구책임자
양기석 (인천대학교)
공동저자
김지수 (인천대학교), 양기석 (인천대학교)
초록
내용
Obesity-related metabolic diseases such as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are increasing worldwide, highlighting the need for in vitro models that accurately capture liver–pancreas metabolic crosstalk. However, most multi-organoid systems rely on passive diffusion and shared media, limiting directional metabolite transport and tissue-specific function. We developed a multi-organoid device (MOD) that spatially separates hepatic and pancreatic organoids while enabling convective metabolic exchange. The MOD showed enhanced directional glucose transport and improved organoid function, increasing insulin and albumin secretion and achieving glucose normalization within two hours. Under MASLD-like conditions, liver-derived Fetuin-A contributed to β-cell apoptosis. Overall, the MOD provides a physiologically relevant platform for metabolic disease modeling and therapeutic evaluation.