TABLE I.
Summary of reported microfluidic-based host–microbe models developed for different applications.
| Target | Microfluidic device | Major achievements | Pathological mode | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lung | Compartmentalized multi-layered microfluidic device. Sandwiched between the upper and lower chambers is a semi-permeable membrane coated with ECM | E. coli co-cultured with lung epithelium | Lung inflammation caused by bacteria | 56 |
| Commensal bacteria co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells | … | 19 | ||
| Gut peristalsis, inflammatory cells and gut microbiome independently contribute to health and barrier property of gut epithelial layer | Intestinal inflammation and bacteria overgrowth | 20 | ||
| Gut | Oxygen sensors were integrated into compartmentalized microfluidic device | Co-culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with gut epithelial under anaerobic conditions Complex microbiome isolated from fresh fetal stool samples inoculated in gut chips maintained high bacteria richness without compromising epithelial barrier | … | 57 |
| Compartmentalized multi-layered microfluidic device where bacteria were cultured in a separate chamber on semi-permeable membrane coated with mucin | A community of aerobic and anaerobic commensal bacteria in close contact with gut epithelial cells Transcriptional, metabolic and immunological responses of Caco-2 cells were presented | … | 58 and 59 | |
| Oral | Three-channel microfluidic device where central channel contained gingival fibroblast-laden collagen hydrogel. This was separated from two side channels by micropillars | Keratinocytes were cultured in one side channel while the other channel was to introduce toxic dental materials or Streptococcus mutants | S. mutans disrupt oral epithelial property | 21 |
| Cancer | Microfluidic device comprised of three channels, where chemotactic microchannels separate cell culture chamber from central bacterial channel | Preference of S. typhimurium toward liver cancer cells (HepG2) as compared to healthy liver cells Preference of E. coli toward lung cancer cells as compared to healthy lung cells | Bacterial mediated cancer therapy | 60 and 61 |