Double-Layered Microphysiological System Made of Polyethylene Terephthalate with Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance Measurement Function for Uniform Detection Sensitivity

Microphysiological systems (MPS) have emerged as alternatives to animal testing in drug development, following the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. Double-layer channel-type MPS chips with porous membranes are versatile for modeling various organs, including the intestines, blood-brain barrier, renal tubules, and lungs. However, these chips faced challenges owing to optical interference caused by light scattering from the porous membrane, which hinders cell observation. One non-invasive method for assessing barrier integrity in these chips is trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement. Existing electrode-integrated MPS chips for TEER measurement have non-uniform current densities, leading to compromised measurement accuracy. Additionally, chips made from polydimethylsiloxane have been associated with drug absorption issues. This study developed an electrode-integrated MPS chip for TEER measurement with uniform current distribution and minimal drug absorption. Through finite element method simulation, electrode patterns were optimized and incorporated into a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based chip. The device was fabricated by laminating PET films, porous membranes, and patterned gold electrodes. The chip’s performance was evaluated using a perfused Caco-2 intestinal model. TEER levels peaked on day 5 when cells formed a monolayer, then decreased as villi-like structures developed. Capacitance increased, indicating microvilli formation. Exposure to staurosporine resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in TEER, which was validated by immunostaining indicating tight junction disruption. This study presents a TEER measurement MPS platform with uniform current density and reduced drug absorption, thereby enhancing TEER measurement reliability. This system effectively monitors barrier integrity and drug responses, demonstrating its potential for non-animal drug-testing applications.