Advances in Cell Coculture Porous Membranes to Mimic In Vivo Microenvironments

In this presentation, we will discuss the advancements in cell coculture platforms that integrate engineered porous membranes to recapitulate <i>in vivo</i> microenvironments and facilitate diverse cell-cell signaling. The utilization of a porous membrane-based coculture platform holds great importance in cell research as it enables the creation of modular interfaces for cells and tissues, while also establishing barrier models for tissue-on-a-chip applications. <i>In vitro</i> coculture systems that incorporate porous membranes are commonly employed to mimic <i>in vivo</i> microenvironments, such as inducing differentiation of stem cells by recapitulating naturally occurring cell-cell communications. Using porous membrane-based coculture to Induce stem cell differentiation proves to be a more cost-effective approach compared to relying on growth factors or specific mediums. A widely used commercial coculture membrane, typically a Transwell®, has played a significant role in fundamental and practical studies involving heterogeneous cell coculture systems. However, due to its relatively thick membrane thickness (~10 µm) and low porosity, it has limitations in facilitating sufficient interactions between cocultured cells. To address these limitations, we have developed advanced coculture membranes using polymers. These new membranes have a thinner thickness and higher porosity, resulting in improved cell-cell interactions that more closely mimic native tissue microenvironments. We have successfully applied these newly developed porous coculture membranes to enhance stem cell differentiation efficiency and establish endothelial barrier function.