Duodenum Intestine-Chip for preclinical drug assessment in a human relevant model

Abstract

Induction of intestinal drug metabolizing enzymes can complicate the development of new drugs, owing to the potential to cause drug-drug interactions (DDIs) leading to changes in pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy. The development of a human-relevant model of the adult intestine that accurately predicts CYP450 induction could help address this challenge as species differences preclude extrapolation from animals. Here, we combined organoids and Organs-on-Chips technology to create a human Duodenum Intestine-Chip that emulates intestinal tissue architecture and functions, that are relevant for the study of drug transport, metabolism, and DDI. Duodenum Intestine-Chip demonstrates the polarized cell architecture, intestinal barrier function, presence of specialized cell subpopulations, and <i>in vivo</i> relevant expression, localization, and function of major intestinal drug transporters. Notably, in comparison to Caco-2, it displays improved CYP3A4 expression and induction capability. This model could enable improved <i>in vitro</i> to <i>in vivo</i> extrapolation for better predictions of human pharmacokinetics and risk of DDIs.