Isogenic hiPSC-derived liver-on-chip platforms: A valuable tool for modeling metabolic liver diseases

The liver is a complex organ with vital functions in metabolism, detoxification, and immunity. The anatomy, physiology, and cellular composition of the liver are crucial for comprehending its spatial heterogeneity and regulation of homeostasis. Hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and liver macrophages play pivotal roles in liver function and pathology. Liver diseases such as NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and Liver fibrosis are prevalent and pose significant health challenges. Studying liver development provides insights into liver model evolution, including differentiation protocols for human hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), hiPSC -derived endothelial cells, stellate cells and macrophages.

Currently, the research landscape of liver tissue models encompasses in vivo and in vitro approaches, including 2D and 3D liver cell culture methods, on-chip systems, and patient-derived hiPSC-based liver disease models. The integration of hiPSCs with micro-physiological systems holds promise for recapitulating liver function and disease in vitro. However, challenges remain in achieving the physiological relevance and scalability of liver models. Advances in the research landscape of liver tissue models are discussed, providing insights into identifying individual patient groups, the current status quo, and prospects of liver research at the interface of developmental biology, tissue engineering, and disease modeling which will allow conclusions to be drawn about the molecular mechanisms of liver diseases and ultimately the targeted use of suitable therapeutics.