Terasaki Institute Develops Liver Tissueoid-on-Chip Model

New platform enables study of liver regeneration and transplant rejection

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Researchers at the Terasaki Institute in Los Angeles have created a vascularized liver tissueoid-on-a-chip (LToC) platform that recapitulates key structural, functional, and immunological features of human liver tissue. This system allows for the study of liver regeneration and immune-mediated allograft rejection in a physiologically relevant human model, addressing limitations of conventional culture systems.

Why it matters

Liver transplantation is a critical therapy for end-stage liver disease, but progress in understanding transplant rejection and tissue regeneration has been hindered by the lack of experimental models that accurately reflect human liver architecture and immune interactions. This new LToC platform aims to provide a more physiologically relevant system to support immunosuppressive drug evaluation and advance personalized strategies for liver transplantation.

The details

The LToC platform was engineered by Dr. Vadim Jucaud's lab at the Terasaki Institute, using donor-matched human hepatic progenitor cells and intrahepatic portal vein endothelial cells. Within the first week of dynamic perfusion culture, the tissueoid self-assembled into a perfusable microvascular network, followed by progressive maturation into a functional liver-like tissueoid over 49 days. The mature tissueoid contained multiple liver-relevant cell populations and demonstrated sustained tissue viability, preserved vascular integrity, and active hepatic function. The platform was further used to model immune-mediated allograft rejection by perfusing the tissueoid with allogeneic T cells, inducing hallmark features of cellular rejection.

  • The LToC platform was developed in February 2026 by researchers at the Terasaki Institute in Los Angeles.
  • The mature liver tissueoid was achieved after 49 days of dynamic perfusion culture.

The players

Dr. Vadim Jucaud

Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute, who led the development of the LToC platform.

Dr. Abdul Rahim Chethikkattuveli Salih

First author of the publication on the LToC platform.

Terasaki Institute

A research institute in Los Angeles that focuses on developing patient-centered, translational technologies to improve lives.

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What they’re saying

“This liver tissueoid-on-a-chip enables us to recreate key aspects of liver regeneration and immune-mediated rejection within a human-relevant, vascularized tissue architecture.”

— Dr. Abdul Rahim Chethikkattuveli Salih, First author of the publication (Mirage News)

“By integrating functional vasculature, multiple liver cell types, and immune responsiveness into a single platform, this system allows us to study transplant biology in a more physiologically meaningful way.”

— Dr. Vadim Jucaud, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute (Mirage News)

“Dr. Terasaki believed that meaningful innovation in transplantation must always be driven by its potential to improve patients' lives.”

— Dr. Vadim Jucaud, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further validate the LToC platform by testing its ability to model additional aspects of liver transplant biology, such as the effects of immunosuppressive drugs and the influence of patient-specific genetic factors.

The takeaway

The development of this innovative liver tissueoid-on-a-chip model represents a significant advancement in the field of organ transplantation research, providing a more physiologically relevant system to study liver regeneration and immune-mediated rejection. This technology has the potential to support the development of personalized treatment strategies and improve outcomes for liver transplant patients.