A Biomarker‐Driven Ovary–Endometrium Organ‐on‐a‐Chip Mimicking 3D Multicellular Complexity and Menstrual Cyclicity for Predicting Reproductive Toxicity

Reliable prediction of reproductive toxicity remains a critical challenge in drug development and environmental safety. Here, a biomarker-integrated, fluorescent reporter-based reproductive organ-on-a-chip platform that recapitulates the multicellular composition, 3D architecture, endocrine signaling, and cyclic dynamics of the human menstrual cycle, is presented. The system is constructed using primary human theca, granulosa, endometrial stromal and stem cells, vascular endothelial cells, uterine macrophages, and myometrial smooth muscle cells, compartmentalized within collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Early-response toxicity biomarkers-ANGPTL4 (ovary) and SERPINB2 (endometrium)-are genetically linked to mCherry or GFP fluorescent reporters, enabling real-time, cell-type-specific visualization of toxicant-induced stress. Transcriptomic profiling, KEGG pathway enrichment, and gene knockdown studies confirm ANGPTL4 and SERPINB2 as functional mediators of toxic injury, not just passive indicators. Upon exposure to dioxin and other reproductive toxicants, the platform shows strong, region-specific fluorescent responses that preceded changes detected by conventional cytotoxicity assays. This system demonstrates high sensitivity, temporal precision, and mechanistic insight, offering a scalable and physiologically relevant tool for high-content reproductive toxicology screening. Furthermore, it supports endocrine crosstalk between the ovary and uterus, and dynamic responses across the menstrual cycle, enabling future applications in personalized toxicity prediction and preclinical safety evaluation.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-01-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202511098
Primary Topic
Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A Biomarker‐Driven Ovary–Endometrium Organ‐on‐a‐Chip Mimicking 3D Multicellular Complexity and Menstrual Cyclicity for Predicting Reproductive Toxicity

C. J. Park, Eun-Kyung Min, Soo‐Rim Kim, YunJae Jung et al.
Advanced Science
Reproductive Biology and Fertility
article

A Biomarker‐Driven Ovary–Endometrium Organ‐on‐a‐Chip Mimicking 3D Multicellular Complexity and Menstrual Cyclicity for Predicting Reproductive Toxicity

C. J. Park, Eun-Kyung Min, Soo‐Rim Kim, YunJae Jung, Choon‐Mi Lee, Byung‐Chul Oh, In‐Sun Hong
article en

Abstract

Reliable prediction of reproductive toxicity remains a critical challenge in drug development and environmental safety. Here, a biomarker-integrated, fluorescent reporter-based reproductive organ-on-a-chip platform that recapitulates the multicellular composition, 3D architecture, endocrine signaling, and cyclic dynamics of the human menstrual cycle, is presented. The system is constructed using primary human theca, granulosa, endometrial stromal and stem cells, vascular endothelial cells, uterine macrophages, and myometrial smooth muscle cells, compartmentalized within collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Early-response toxicity biomarkers-ANGPTL4 (ovary) and SERPINB2 (endometrium)-are genetically linked to mCherry or GFP fluorescent reporters, enabling real-time, cell-type-specific visualization of toxicant-induced stress. Transcriptomic profiling, KEGG pathway enrichment, and gene knockdown studies confirm ANGPTL4 and SERPINB2 as functional mediators of toxic injury, not just passive indicators. Upon exposure to dioxin and other reproductive toxicants, the platform shows strong, region-specific fluorescent responses that preceded changes detected by conventional cytotoxicity assays. This system demonstrates high sensitivity, temporal precision, and mechanistic insight, offering a scalable and physiologically relevant tool for high-content reproductive toxicology screening. Furthermore, it supports endocrine crosstalk between the ovary and uterus, and dynamic responses across the menstrual cycle, enabling future applications in personalized toxicity prediction and preclinical safety evaluation.

Advanced Science
Gachon University (KR), Sacred Heart Hospital (NG)
National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea
Openalex Percentile: Top 88%
Reproductive Biology and Fertility
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.