A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Genipin‐Crosslinked, Silane‐Anchored 3D Tumor–Stroma Microtissues for High‐Content On‐Chip Drug Testing;




AuthorsLe Manach, Doriane; Kowsari-Esfahan, Reza; Reszczynska, Emilia; Nghe, Philippe; Nees, Matthias

PublisherWiley

Publication year2026

Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials

Article numbere03566

ISSN2192-2640

eISSN2192-2659

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202503566

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202503566

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523753114

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY NC ND

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Physiologically relevant 3D tumor models incorporating extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential for studying tumor progression and drug resistance, yet often suffer from hydrogel contraction and instability-especially in microfluidic formats, where ECM deformation hampers long-term culture and quantitative imaging. Here, we present a microfluidic tumor-fibroblast co-culture platform for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that overcomes these limitations via a dual strategy: APTES-mediated surface silanization anchors the ECM to the chip, combined with Genipin-based crosslinking, which modestly increases hydrogel stiffness and progressively reinforces the network without compromising cell viability, as confirmed by time- and frequency-resolved rheology. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) verified successful collagen crosslinking while preserving reactive & horbar;OH and & horbar;NH2 groups, enabling covalent bonding to the APTES-functionalized chip. The platform further integrates semi-automated segmentation and high-content imaging to quantify dynamic phenotypic drug responses at both single-cell and multicellular/tissue organization levels. Drug chemosensitivity assays, including co-culture with patient-derived CAFs, enabled quantitative assessment of clinically relevant chemoprotective effects. By combining biomaterial engineering with functional microfluidic design, this system enables reproducible, physiologically relevant modeling of tumor-fibroblast interactions, offering a scalable tool for preclinical drug chemosensitivity screening and clinical translation.



Keywords:
3D tumor-fibroblast co-cultureextracellular matrix stabilizationGenipin crosslinkinghigh-content imagingin vitro chemosensitivity assayssemi-automated segmentationsilane-functionalization microfluidic devices

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Funding information in the publication
This research was funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN): UMO-2020/37/B/NZ4/03920, and DEC-2021/41/B/NZ7/03786, the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grant (no. 10698), the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA): PPI/APM/2019/1/00089/U/00001, the Jane & Aatos Erkko Foundation, project "Matrix Matters", and the Academy of Finland "Phenotypic Screening for Cancer Drug Discovery"/Consortium: PESCADoR (309372). This work was also supported by Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes ANR-10-EQPX-34, EU Horizon 2020 Grant ERC PoC (101100823), and the PSL QLife initiative.


Last updated on 22/06/2026 02:29:42 PM