The new system combines three microphysiological systems: one simulates a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), a second is a miniaturized, healthy liver tissue and the third represents the immune system. Together, they simulate the intestinal-liver-immune axis. With their model, they were able to study the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC) outside of the body.

Using the triple combination, the researchers led by Prof. Linda Griffith observed that the chronic inflammation of the intestinal tissue decreased through the healthy liver tissue. They also found increased activity of gene expressions and pathway activations for certain metabolic processes and immune reactions.

The researchers consider their model to be a way to influence the complexity of replicated disease models under controlled and systematic conditions. The model could help to clarify the paradoxical role of circulating immune cells and the microbiome in chronic inflammatory diseases.