As the interest in next-generation probiotics (NGPs) continues to surge, understanding the safety profile of microbial candidates is becoming more critical than ever. Traditional in vitro assays and animal models often fall short in replicating the complexity of the human microenvironment, particularly when it comes to evaluating the immunological and cytotoxic responses of probiotic strains. To bridge this gap, organ-on-chip technology offers a revolutionary solution. Creative Biolabs provides cutting-edge probiotic toxicity and inflammation assessment services using microfluidic organ-on-chip systems that recapitulate human physiological functions with unparalleled precision.
Our models are engineered to simulate relevant biological barriers such as the intestinal epithelium, immune cell compartments, and epithelial-immune interfaces, enabling real-time, functional evaluation of inflammatory responses and cytotoxicity triggered by probiotics or their secreted metabolites.
Significance of Toxicity and Inflammation Screening for Probiotics
Assessing the immunological and cytotoxic profiles of probiotic strains is indispensable for both early-stage discovery and downstream development of microbial therapeutics and live biotherapeutic products. Probiotic strains may trigger unintended host responses such as epithelial damage, immune hyperactivation, or barrier dysfunction, especially when delivered in high doses or in susceptible individuals.
Furthermore, specific strains or microbial consortia may release metabolites or extracellular vesicles capable of triggering toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling or inflammasome activation. These interactions cannot be adequately captured by conventional static cultures. The need for human-relevant, dynamic, and modular models has led to a growing demand for organ-on-chip-based probiotic safety assays that offer better translatability to clinical outcomes.
Creative Biolabs addresses this challenge with validated, customizable organ-chip systems that support epithelial, endothelial, and immune co-cultures under flow conditions, offering precise control over experimental parameters and readouts.
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Capabilities for Organ Chip-Based Probiotic Safety Evaluation
Creative Biolabs leverages advanced microphysiological systems to provide robust inflammation and toxicity assays tailored to probiotic candidates. Our capabilities include:
Intestine-on-Chip with Co-Cultured Immune Cells
We employ dynamic gut-on-chip systems incorporating intestinal epithelial cells (e.g., Caco-2, HT29-MTX) and peripheral immune cells (e.g., PBMCs, THP-1 macrophages). The chip mimics shear stress, nutrient flow, and mucus production, providing an ideal platform to monitor cytokine release (e.g., IL-8, TNF-α), barrier integrity (TEER measurements), and immune activation markers (e.g., CD80, CD86).
Inflammation Biomarker Profiling
Our system enables multiplexed analysis of inflammatory markers using ELISA and transcriptomic profiling (RNA-seq or qPCR arrays). This enables quantification of both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, and interferon-related genes.
Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Assessment
We integrate fluorescence microscopy, LDH release assays, and Caspase-3/7 activity measurement to detect early and late stages of cell death following probiotic exposure. These assays help elucidate whether a microbial candidate induces cytotoxic effects on epithelial or immune cells under physiologically relevant conditions.
Real-Time Live Imaging and Barrier Function Analysis
Using high-resolution confocal and live-cell imaging, we can monitor epithelial tight junction integrity (e.g., ZO-1, occludin) and measure TEER in real time. This allows for dynamic monitoring of barrier disruption and recovery post-probiotic treatment.
Metabolite-Mediated Response Profiling
To evaluate indirect toxicity, we apply sterile-filtered probiotic supernatants or purified microbial metabolites to the chip system, measuring resulting inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress responses, and mitochondrial toxicity.
Workflow for Chip-Based Probiotic Safety Testing
Our testing strategy is modular and can be tailored based on the stage of your probiotic development. Below is a typical workflow:
What You Receive: Clear, Actionable Results
At Creative Biolabs, we ensure clients receive comprehensive and interpretable results to drive decision-making:
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Quantified cytokine profiles (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10)
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Real-time barrier integrity measurements (TEER and permeability)
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Immunofluorescence imaging (tight junctions, apoptosis markers)
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Quantitative cytotoxicity and cell death data
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Full technical report with experimental conditions and interpretation
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Optional raw data, metadata, and consultation on follow-up assays
All results are presented in a structured, publication-ready format compatible with regulatory and academic documentation requirements.
Applications Across Research and Product Development
Strain Safety Screening in NGP Development
Ideal for selecting strains with low inflammatory potential for next-generation probiotics targeting gut-brain, gut-liver, or gut-skin axes.
Mechanism of Action Elucidation
Dissect the immunomodulatory profile of candidate strains by linking metabolite production to inflammation or cytoprotection.
Host-Microbe Interaction Studies
Explore epithelial or immune response patterns to wild-type vs. genetically modified probiotics under controlled flow conditions.
Metabolite or EV Safety Testing
Screen microbial metabolites, purified exopolysaccharides, or extracellular vesicles for toxicity without live bacterial introduction.
Batch-to-Batch Consistency Testing
Evaluate consistency and stability of inflammation-related properties across probiotic production batches as part of QC validation.
Related Services from Creative Biolabss
To support your comprehensive microbiome project, we also offer the following complementary services:
Creative Biolabs offers personalized project consultation, rapid project turnaround, and access to the latest organ-on-chip innovations. Whether you're conducting early screening or validating lead candidates, our team of experts is here to help.
Get a quote today or contact us to schedule a free project discussion.
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FAQs
What advantages does the organ-on-chip platform offer over traditional static culture in probiotic safety testing?
Organ-on-chip systems provide dynamic flow, physiological barrier function, and co-culture capabilities that better mimic in vivo environments, allowing for more accurate assessment of probiotic-induced inflammation and cytotoxicity compared to static Transwell or plate-based assays.
Is the system compatible with anaerobic or microaerophilic probiotic strains?
Yes. We offer customized microfluidic systems with controlled gas flow and oxygen gradients to support anaerobic or facultative anaerobic probiotic strains during exposure and downstream response assessment.
How reproducible and scalable is the assay for batch-to-batch comparisons?
Our chip-based assay supports high reproducibility with standardized protocols and parallel chip formats. It is well-suited for comparing multiple probiotic lots to assess inflammatory potential, supporting both QC and regulatory submission needs.
Other Resources
References
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Morelli, Moran, et al. "Gut-on-a-Chip models: current and future perspectives for host–microbial interactions research." Biomedicines 11.2 (2023): 619. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020619
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Taavitsainen, Susanne, et al. "Gut-on-chip devices as intestinal inflammation models and their future for studying multifactorial diseases." Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies 2 (2024): 1337945. https://doi.org/10.3389/frlct.2023.1337945
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Bein, Amir, et al. "Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of human intestine." Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology 5.4 (2018): 659-668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmgh.2017.12.010
