"Establishment of Contrast Agent Nephrotoxicity Evaluation Model Using 3D Tissue Chip Technology"

Professor Kim Sejung's Team at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital Department of Nephrology
Implemented Kidney Microenvironment on Organ-on-a-Chip

Professor Kim Sejung, Department of Nephrology, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A research team led by Professor Kim Se-jung of the Department of Nephrology at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital announced on the 27th that they have established a nephrotoxicity evaluation model for contrast agents used in CT scans by utilizing 3D tissue chip technology.

The use of iodinated contrast agents in CT scans and coronary angiography is increasing by more than 5% annually on average. As the number of examinations rises, the number of patients experiencing contrast-induced acute kidney injury due to iodinated contrast agent administration is also increasing.

However, until now, there has been no suitable experimental model to evaluate the nephrotoxicity of contrast agents, making it difficult to identify treatments for contrast-induced nephropathy. The research team cultured human kidney cells on a mechanical chip using 3D tissue chip technology and injected contrast agents into the chip to establish a model capable of evaluating nephrotoxicity.

In particular, the 3D tissue chip allows control of shear stress (pressure) caused by fluid flow, enabling the reproduction of pressure differences experienced by cells in environments with reduced kidney function and the elucidation of mechanisms of cell damage. Kidney cells in patients with impaired kidney function are exposed to environments with higher pressure compared to normal cells. The study found that in a normal environment with low shear stress, iodinated contrast agents showed significant nephrotoxicity, but in a high shear stress environment simulating kidney failure, kidney cells exhibited nephrotoxicity not only to iodinated contrast agents but also to gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Professor Kim Se-jung explained, “Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is known to cause complications due to decreased kidney function and prolonged hospitalization in the short term, as well as chronic kidney failure and death in the long term, so active prevention and diagnosis are necessary. Through this study, it has become possible to distinguish nephrotoxicity based on subtle differences among contrast agents, enabling the creation of various nephrotoxicity models for contrast agents and serving as a platform for developing new drugs to prevent or treat nephrotoxicity.”

This study was published in the latest issue of the international journal Micromachines and was conducted with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital.

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