Humonix Biosciences Launches 3D Human Tissue Model
Humonix Biosciences has introduced an innovative 3D human tissue model named the retinal vascular dysfunction model. This groundbreaking model accurately represents the blood-retinal barrier in terms of physiological and biological characteristics. It serves as a robust platform for evaluating therapies associated with retinal vascular dysfunction, as stated in a press release by Humonix.
Distinguishing itself from most current in vitro models, Humonix's new model incorporates two distinct cell types. This feature is significant because many existing models rely on a single cell type, overlooking crucial factors affecting barrier function.
The model is able to mimic:
1. Interactions between retinal microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes
2. Proper barrier function of the retinal microvasculature
3. Expression of proper cell type-specific markers
4. Responsiveness to treatments known to affect tissue permeability
Humonix's retinal vascular dysfunction model has the capacity to replicate organ-specific vascular dysfunction, making it applicable to conditions such as macular edema and diabetic retinopathy.
This innovative model holds promise in facilitating the drug development process and expediting advancements in life-changing treatments for individuals grappling with retinal vascular diseases.
"During discussions with key opinion leaders and drug developers, we saw a trend that in vitro models and, to a certain extent, animal models are not good at narrowing down the best clinical candidates. The significant lack of models of the blood-retinal barrier that incorporate human retinal cells and mimic the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema hampers the chances of identifying high-potential candidates to move forward in the drug development pipeline," Karen Torrejon, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Humonix, said in a company news release. "We at Humonix are proud to have engineered a 3D human tissue model of the blood-retinal barrier that can accelerate the development of new and improved therapies."
"A reproducible and approachable model of the blood-retinal barrier needs to be more complex than a monolayer of cells; interactions between endothelial cells and pericytes are central to the development and maintenance of barrier function, a fact well recapitulated in the Humonix model," said Patricia A. D’Amore, PhD, MBA, Associate Chief for Basic and Translational Research, Mass Eye and Ear and Humonix Scientific Advisor.
