Pump-Free Patient-Derived Human Proximal Tubule Microphysiological System for Modeling Flow-Dependent Epithelial Maturation and Cisplatin Injury

Researchers developed a new laboratory system for testing drug safety using human kidney cells. The system uses proximal tubule cells derived from patient samples and simulates natural kidney conditions without requiring a pump. Cells were cultured for 10 days under two conditions - static and with flow-induced shear stress mimicking fluid movement in the kidney. Flow improved cell maturation, increased expression of specific proteins, and enhanced their structure. When researchers tested cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug), mature cells showed greater sensitivity to damage. This new system is more practical and better mimics human biology than traditional methods, which could reduce the need for animal testing of drugs.